Baht volatile over stronger dollar, worsening Covid-19 situation

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https://www.nationthailand.com/business/40010938


The baht opened at 33.62 to the US dollar on Tuesday, unchanged from Monday’s closing rate.

Baht volatile over stronger dollar, worsening Covid-19 situation

The Thai currency is likely to move between 33.50 and 33.70 during the day, Krungthai Bank market strategist Poon Panichpibool predicted.

Poon said that the baht is likely to fluctuate during the day as the dollar strengthened after investors believed that the US Federal Reserve will increase the policy interest rate faster than expected while the Omicron situation was worsening.

However, Poon said that the baht will not weaken much as foreign investors continue to buy Thai assets including short term bonds which might cause the baht to strengthen.

The key resistance level for the baht would be at 33.75 to the dollar while the key support level would be from 33.30 to 33.40.

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Baht strengthens as foreign investors shrug off Omicron concerns

Stronger dollar, Omicron worries weaken baht

Baht weakens as market awaits US economic data, Fed statement

Published : January 11, 2022

By : THE NATION

SET expected to fluctuate amid Fed interest rate hike concerns

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https://www.nationthailand.com/business/40010936


Krungsri Securities forecast the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) Index on Tuesday (January 11) would fluctuate between 1,650-1,670 points due to lack of positive sentiment.

SET expected to fluctuate amid Fed interest rate hike concerns

It said the index is currently under pressure due to uncertainty over the US Federal Reserve (Fed) signalling it would raise the interest rate to tackle inflation sooner than expected.

FedWatch Tool predicted that there is 90 per cent possibility that Fed will raise the interest rate by 0.25 per cent in March, it explained.

“However, the index would rise from the decline in Thailand Covid-19 infections, so we advise investors to focus on selective buying of shares,” Krungsri Securities said.

It also recommended buying of the following companies’ shares as an investment strategy:

  • BBL, TTB, KBANK and BLA, which benefit from news of interest rate hike.
  • RCL, LEO, III, WICE, SONIC and JWD, which benefit from rising freight rate.
  • HMPRO, CPN, CRC, SYNEX, COM7 and KTC, which benefit from the government’s Shop Dee Mee Kuen” (Shop and Payback) scheme.

The SET Index closed at 1,657.06 on Monday, down 0.03 per cent, with transactions totalled 79.54 billion baht.

Published : January 11, 2022

By : THE NATION

Jurin hopes to add fruit to Thai-Laos high-speed railway cargo

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https://www.nationthailand.com/business/40010932


Commerce Minister Jurin Laksanawisit said on Monday that he will hold talks with Beijing to allow Thailand to export fruit to China via the China-Laos high-speed railway.

Jurin hopes to add fruit to Thai-Laos high-speed railway cargo

Jurin, who is also deputy prime minister, spoke to reporters while leading a delegation of senior ministry officials to the customs checkpoint at the Thai-Laos Friendship Bridge in Nong Khai on Monday afternoon.

Accompanying Jurin were Commerce permanent secretary Boonyarit Kalayanamitr, deputy permanent secretary Poonpong Naiyanaphakorn, director-general of the Foreign Trade Department Phithak Udomwichaiwat and director-general of the Trade Negotiations Department Oramon Supthaweetham.
Jurin said the delegation had spoken to the private sector about how the high-speed railway can be used to boost Thai exports to Laos and China.
He said Beijing has given Thailand the right to use the railway to transport minerals, rubber and tapioca to China, so far, and the Commerce Ministry will seek permission to also add fruit to the list. However, he did not indicate the timeframe for such talks.
Jurin went on to say that the high-speed railway currently goes as far as the south of Vientiane and will be extended another 3 kilometres along the banks of the Mekong River on the Laos side.

Once this is done, he said, a dry port will be built in Laos to handle logistics, warehousing and customs clearance. The port is expected to be ready in February.
Thai exporters can use the port to send goods to China via the high-speed train and if negotiations are successful, then the port can also be used to ship fruit.
As for bilateral trade with Laos, Jurin said cross-border trade was valued at almost 200 billion baht over the past year, with Thai exports accounting for about 112 billion baht.

Published : January 10, 2022

By : THE NATION

Thai exports to S Korea set to rocket under new RCEP

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https://www.nationthailand.com/blogs/business/40010931


Growth in exports to South Korea is forecast to accelerate again this year making it one of Thailand’s top trading partners, the Department of International Trade Negotiations said on Monday. From January to November 2021, Thai exports to South Korea rose 39 per cent to US$5.373 billion year on year.

Thai exports to S Korea set to rocket under new RCEP

The biggest growth came in agricultural and processed agricultural exports, up 21 per cent to US$987 million, led by rubber (+62%), canned and processed seafood (+37%), sugar (+27%), cassava (+25%), and squid (+11%).

Meanwhile, industrial exports rose 37 per cent to $4.012 billion led by wood and wood products (+69%), computers, equipment and components (+60%), chemicals (+43%), circuit boards (+42%), and rubber products (+37%).

And with increased demand expected from its manufacturing sector this year, Thai businesses have an opportunity to expand exports to South Korea, said the department.

Thai exporters already benefit from zero tariffs on 90.6 per cent of goods shipped to South Korea under the Asean-South Korea free trade agreement (AKFTA), including automobiles, equipment and parts, electrical appliances, plastic products, rubber, frozen fish and shrimp meat and raw sugar.

And when the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) comes into force on February 1, Seoul will lift import tax on 90.7 per cent of listed products.

Also, South Korea is opening its market to Thai durian, mangosteen, guava, papaya and dates (current tariff 24-36%) and rubberwood (5%), cutting tariffs to zero by 2031.

Also gradually cut to zero by 2036 will be duties on canned sardines, processed tuna and processed seafood (now 20%), pet food (40.4%), dextrin and modified starch (100.6-192.8%) and tapioca starch (5%).

Thai tapioca exports will see their 20 per cent tariff and 40 per cent off-quota tax gradually reduced to zero by 2041.

Published : January 10, 2022

By : THE NATION

Thai crypto tax criteria ready by end of month

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https://www.nationthailand.com/blogs/business/40010928


The Revenue Department expects to issue tax rules for Thailand’s growing cryptocurrency trade by the end of this month, director-general Ekniti Nitithanprapas said on Monday.

Thai crypto tax criteria ready by end of month

His statement came after Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha urged the department to clarify rules for calculating tax on profits from the sale or investment of digital assets or cryptocurrencies.

Ekniti said his agency is now discussing cryptocurrency tax guidelines with the Bank of Thailand, Securities and Exchange Commission and other bodies.

Noting that cryptocurrency investment and exchange had grown by leaps and bounds over the past year in Thailand, he said this was a new issue for both taxpayers and the Revenue Department.

Published : January 10, 2022

By : THE NATION

Baht strengthens as foreign investors shrug off Omicron concerns

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https://www.nationthailand.com/business/40010893


The baht opened at 33.63 to the US dollar on Monday, strengthening from the previous closing of 33.65.

Baht strengthens as foreign investors shrug off Omicron concerns

The Thai currency is likely to move between 33.55 and 33.75 during the day and between 33.30 and 33.90 during the week, Krungthai Bank market strategist Poon Panichpibool predicted.

Poon said that the baht is likely to fluctuate due to the Omicron situation in the country. He said that investors should speculate investments from foreign investors.

However, Poon said that foreign investors will not sell a large number of Thai assets because they are not worried about the Omicron situation too much.

Poon said that the baht will not weaken past 34 to the dollar. if the spreading is not at the crisis.

The baht’s key support level would be from 33.30 to 33.40, the level some importers are waiting for so they can buy dollars, he added.

Related News

Stronger dollar, Omicron worries weaken baht

Baht weakens as market awaits US economic data, Fed statement

Baht continues to advance

The key resistance level for the baht would be from 33.75 to 34.00 to the dollar, which is the level at which exporters might sell the US currency. 

Poon said that the dollar is likely to strengthen if the US Federal Reserve’s sent a signal to increase the policy interest rate faster than expected. The dollar might go down slightly if the demand for safe-haven assets decreases.

Published : January 10, 2022

By : THE NATION

Fed interest rate hike signal, rising Covid-19 cases expected to pressure SET 

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https://www.nationthailand.com/business/40010892


Krungsri Securities forecast the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) Index on Monday (January 10) would fluctuate between 1,650-1,670 points due to lack of positive sentiment.

Fed interest rate hike signal, rising Covid-19 cases expected to pressure SET 

It predicted that uncertainty over the US Federal Reserve signalling it would raise interest rate sooner than expected and rising domestic Covid-19 infections would pressure the index.

“Hence, we advise investors to buy stocks which gained specific positive sentiment,” Krungsri Securities said.

It also recommended buying of the following companies’ shares as an investment strategy:

  • BCH, CHG, IMH, SMD and TM, which benefit from rising Covid-19 cases.
  • RCL, LEO, III, WICE, SONIC and JWD, which benefit from rising freight rate.
  • BBL, TTB, KBANK and BLA, which benefit from news of interest rate hike.

The SET Index closed at 1,657.62 on Friday, up 0.28 per cent, with transactions totalled 89.09 billion baht.

Published : January 10, 2022

By : THE NATION

Thai crypto traders want details on taxes

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https://www.nationthailand.com/business/40010887


The Thai Digital Asset Association said on Sunday that it will write to the Revenue Department on Monday to seek clarification on collecting withholding tax on profits made from cryptocurrency.

Thai crypto traders want details on taxes

The association’s president, Suppakrit Boonsat, said the Revenue Department is still looking into the taxes it should apply and the association is seeking to discuss the issue with the department.

“Most cryptocurrency investors are ready to pay tax but are concerned whether their move will violate the Revenue Code, which says the statute of limitations for the incorrect filing of tax is five years,” he said.

Suppakirt added that the association will launch public hearings on this issue as well.

“I suggest people wait for the Revenue Department to make a final decision and for results of the public hearing,” he added.

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Published : January 09, 2022

By : THE NATION

CP Foods receives two awards from the Asset ESG Corporate Awards 2021

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https://www.nationthailand.com/pr-news/business/40010838


CP Foods receives two awards from the Asset ESG Corporate Awards 2021

Charoen Pokphand Foods Public Company Limited (CP Foods) received two awards from The Asset ESG Corporate Awards 2021 organized by The Asset, Asia’s leading financial and investment magazine , namely Best CEO Award in the Agro & Food business and Gold Award for ESG, reflecting the commitment and outstanding achievement in strategic management with social responsibility, environment and good corporate governance in a fast-changing business environment.

Mr. Prasit Boonduangprasert, Chief Executive Officer of CP Foods, was named the Best CEO Award from the outstanding ability in the business management under rapidly changing situations, and communicating transparent information to stakeholders as well as being able to create effective cooperation both internally and externally.

Meanwhile, CP Foods received the Gold Award for ESG thanks to its performance and multiple activities related to Environment, Society and Governance.

These awards reflecting CP Foods’s commitment to operate business with social and environmental responsibility. The company also placed utmost importance to good corporate governance and transparency to create sustainable business growth. During the Covid-19 crisis, many measures have been put in place to ensure uninterrupted operations. Moreover, CP Foods, as a good citizen, has provided aids to the society amid the Covid-19 pandemic by delivering food supplies to help those who have affected by the crisis.

Published : January 07, 2022

Looking Ahead: Top 3 Supply Chain Predictions for 2022

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https://www.nationthailand.com/pr-news/business/40010814


In 2022, we find ourselves heading in to the third year of a global health crisis with unparalleled supply chain impact. Repercussions from severe supply and demand imbalances are being felt worldwide. The availability and increasing cost of labor, freight capacity, semiconductors, empty chassis and warehouse storage space will continue to be areas of uncertainty and concern in the coming new year.

Looking Ahead: Top 3 Supply Chain Predictions for 2022

With new waves of coronavirus infection appearing globally just in time for the holiday season, our social and economic futures can appear murkier than ever. Still, I believe we can see new supply chain patterns emerging from today’s global trade and shipping chaos. Here are three of those patterns that we will be contending with in the new year: 

1) Container ship issues at major North American and Northern European ports will continue well in to 2023, because the current congestion and delays are not merely an ‘ocean’ shipping problem, but a global supply chain network problem. Issues with port labor, truck driver labor, warehouse unloading labor and both empty container and container chassis availability are all conspiring with increased inbound shipping volumes out of Asia (sparked by historically high consumer demand) to slow down the loading and unloading of ocean vessels and subsequent movement of goods out of ports to inland warehouse or deconsolidation locations. 

2) To increase supply chain resilience as disruptions will continue to increase their pace and their impact scope, companies must prioritize first mile technology investments and collaborative logistics service provider relationships.  Single-minded pursuit of lower costs will have to be replaced with new goals for holistic and multi-dimensional forms of visibility to things like freight capacity, supplier work-in-progress and financial health, modal hand-off points and shipment chain-of-custody progress, in addition to real-time visibility to inventory in transit. Resilience demands improved exception monitoring to support faster reaction times when issues arise within supplier networks or global shipping lanes. Success in delivering products the final mile to end customers is now clearly dependent on getting more control and increased flexibility in managing the first mile.

Looking Ahead: Top 3 Supply Chain Predictions for 2022

3) The following global supply chain trends we see today are likely to be longer-term:

  • Higher ocean and air freight shipping costs will remain, even when current congestion and capacity constraints have settled into a new global equilibrium 
  • Traditional ‘peak season’ shipping markets will start earlier and run longer 
  • Freight contracts will increasingly run for shorter terms 
  • Shippers will continue expanded use of Non-Vessel-Operating Common Carriers (NVOCCs) and third-party logistics providers (3PLs) to secure more reliable freight capacity 
  • More shippers will share dynamic freight capacity forecast needs with their key carriers to improve overall freight network planning 
  • More shippers and consignees will be under pressure to improve their loading and unloading efficiency for trailers and containers in order to free up network freight capacity   
  • More C-level executives will be looking closely at global logistics and supply chain strategies, emphasizing reduced supply uncertainty in tandem with cost management to protect their production lines, the end customer experience and total business profitability.

Because uncertainty around pandemic-influenced supply and demand challenges has become “the new normal” for supply chain professionals, it is imperative to improve the technologies and supply chain management tools they work with daily. Broader and more flexible partner connectivity, the addition of more external data sources, and supply network intelligence that finally connects demand signals and stakeholders downstream with procurement and shipment planning activity upstream will help ensure businesses can move quickly, pivot nimbly, and are set up for future success. 

By Fabio Tiviti, Senior Vice President & General Manager, ASEAN-India, Infor

Looking Ahead: Top 3 Supply Chain Predictions for 2022

Published : January 07, 2022

By : THE NATION