Govt moves to ease debt burden

Curiosity wait on debt of B1.31trn

People seek consultations about how to settle their debts at an event jointly organised by the Justice Ministry and 23 financial institutes at Suan Dusit University in Bangkok in January (Photo: Apichart Jinakul)
At a meeting held in January at Suan Dusit University in Bangkok in collaboration with the Justice Ministry and 23 financial institutions ( Photo: Apichart Jinakul ) people seek consultations about how to resolve their debts.

As part of efforts to reduce household debt, the Finance Ministry has revealed details about the government’s plan to halt interest payments for three different debtor parties.

The strategy for borrowers with debt up to a year premature was approved by the financial stimulus committee headed by Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra on Tuesday.

The three-year attention suspension system will support late home loans not exceeding 3 million baht, car loans not exceeding 800, 000 baht, and tiny- and medium-sized enterprises ‘ loans of up to 3 million baht, Paopoom Rojanasakul, deputy finance minister, said.

Of the payments totalling 1.31 trillion baht, home mortgage lenders owe 480 billion baht, auto loan lenders owe 370 billion rmb, and SMEs owe 454 billion baht, Mr Paopoom said.

Because we believe the debt will be able to clear their debt and getting back on their feet rapidly if they receive assistance from the government, the government has decided to suspend interest payments for the debt.

The Finance Ministry will allow banks to reduce their fee contributions to the Financial Institution Development Fund ( FIDF) from the current level of 0.46 %, according to Mr. Paopoom, in order to make up for the bank’s interest rate reduction caused by the measure.

The Thai Bankers ‘ Association ( TBA ) confirmed that banks will be able to finance the interest suspension program by lowering their FIDF fee contribution.

Consumers who receive a expulsion may follow a debt restructuring plan and refrain from applying for additional money over the course of three years to prevent moral hazard and guarantee the efficient reduction of household debt.

According to bill data as of October 31, eligible borrowers must have completed their payment agreements with banks by January 1 of this year and be facing difficulties making their mortgage payments.

According to the TBA, the initiative aims to assist targeted borrowers in reducing their debt and encouraging economic discipline throughout the restructuring process. As of June, Thailand’s household-to-GDP ratio was 89.6 %, and household debt was 16.3 trillion baht, among the highest levels in Asia.

However, deputy finance secretary Julapun Amornvivat announced on Wednesday that the state security committee would join on Thursday to evaluate the requirements for state welfare cards.

According to Mr. Julapun, fresh registration will start for applicants in March of next year.

According to the Finance Ministry, some individuals may have earned enough to leave a resilient type without losing their ability to receive benefits because of the need to reprocess data to determine eligibility for vulnerable groups.

Every two decades, the department reviews the registration of people with state security cards. The 2022 assessment was the last one, and this year’s assessment was supposed to start.

The innovative registration review was delayed until early 2025 due to efforts to address the country’s flood problems in some areas.

The main requirements for receiving the state security card is having a child’s and family’s annual salary hardly reach 100, 000 ringgit. Based on a daily minimum salary of 300 rmb, this number has been determined. In the most recent membership large for the express welfare card, there were 13.5 million less eligible recipients than there were in the previous round, down from 14.9 million.

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Govt to ramp up its emissions targets

According to Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Chalermchai Sri-on, Thailand does work to reduce its emissions of harmful vapors because the first global assessment that the country has been given the approval to do so shows how far its efforts are behind the nation’s goal to combat the planet’s rising temperatures.

Mr Chalermchai made the remarks in his handle at the COP29 climate conference organised by the United Nations in Baku, Azerbaijan, on Tuesday.

According to observers, the earth is still not on track to meet the long-term heat purpose of the agreement, reach the required levels of resilience, or mobilize and align the necessary financial moves. However, the global assessment has led to almost universal progress in this area. The results of the first global stocktake will be influenced by the national contributions that will be submitted by each nation ( NDCs ) in 2025, also known as NDCs 3.0.

According to him, NDCs 3.0 must be more optimistic than the current NDCs, and they may represent the final chance to put the world on track toward a global emissions trend in line with the Paris Agreement’s goal of limiting the world’s rising temperatures to 1.5C annually.

” We plan to reduce GHG]greenhouse gas ] emissions to below 270 million tonnes carbon dioxide equivalent against the 2019 level economy-wide by 2035″, Mr Chalermchai said.

” A comprehensive green investment plan will support the implementation of NDC 3.0 Additionally, we will boost the GHG sink in LULUCF]land use, land-use change, and forestry ] by 120 million tonnes carbon dioxide equivalent by 2037″, he added.

Thailand is one of the nations most susceptible to the effects of climate change, according to Mr. Chalermchai.

” We have suffered record-breaking warmth of 43 degrees Fahrenheit, flash flood due to heavy rainfall, as well as floods, causing irreversible damage to our business and lives. This includes grass damage, which would result in a reduction in dugong communities of around 50 % in less than six decades, he said.

Thailand emits less than 1 % of the country’s greenhouse gases. According to Mr. Chalermchai, the government is determined to improve its prevention strategy and preserve the concept of shared but distinct responsibilities and individual features in order to achieve our NDC 2030 goal of reducing GHG emissions by 222 million tonnes equal in five sectors.

Those industries are electricity, transport, waste, business process and product use, and agribusiness, he added.

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Navy chief sending officers to JTC

Conversations of a maritime dispute in Cambodia are a possibility.

The commander-in-chief of the Royal Thai Navy (RTN) is ready to send marine and legal officers to join the soon-to-be-set-up Joint Technical Committee (JTC ) to negotiate with Cambodia to resolve the disputed maritime areas in the Gulf of Thailand.

Navy Chief Adm Jirapol Wongwit said the army is in charge of managing the maritime boundary that Thailand has designated following a ceremony held at the organization’s office yesterday. Because both parties are aware of one another, he said,” We have been able to look after our maritime boundaries smoothly and without any border problems with our neighboring country [Cambodia].”

The Naval Education Department will hold a seminar on December 3 because the public is interested in Thailand’s overlapping continental shelf claims ( MoU), he said. The conference will protect maritime boundaries, contracts and disputes. The public can access the information on sea rules and the International Court of Justice’s negotiation processes and legal processes.

He added that this will give world a better understanding of the various international agreement cases. As for the improvement in setting up the JTC, he said the army is happy to support the president’s work.

Prior to joining the JTC, Defense Minister Phumtham Wechayachai stated that the Geodetic Department of the RTN and a number of other organizations were required.

Because we must also carefully examine the maritime boundary issue, we are content to back this. Although technical staff members from the geological department will be available, legitimate department representatives will be sent in for the case. According to him, it depends on the professional authorities the JTC requires.

Maris Sangiampongsa, the government’s foreign affairs minister, described the accomplishments of the JTC’s establishment, claiming that it is enticing to add more authorities.

Russ Jalichandra, a vice-minister for international affairs, said postponing the 2001 MoU did not invalidate Cambodia’s state. Instead, the problem may be, compounded by the lack of a system for negotiations.

The MoU, which serves as a negotiation model, covers maritime areas and negotiations regarding the usage or joint development of the disputed region. According to Mr. Russ, both problems may be resolved at once and may be disregarded in order to avoid problems in the future.

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Stadium eyed as gig venue

The Supachalasai National Stadium will be converted into a new musical place in accordance with the Ministry of Tourism and Sports.

The Department of Physical Education’s commitment to use the national facility is about to expire, according to Minister Sorawong Thienthong. Chulalongkorn University, the landowner, may receive the center back.

The minister may represent the university in court when negotiations arise regarding a lease of the interior stadium for concerts by the minister.

Thailand will now have a place to host concerts or main activities, he said.

Pathumwan Palace once owned the land on which the facility is situated.

The stadium’s construction began in 1937 and was finished in 1941.

The facility is 72 metres wide and 110m much featuring an eight-lane running track and a seating capacity of 19, 615, four performer rooms, a referee place, a media room, a VIP welcome room, a patient’s space, and a press conference room.

Supachalasai Stadium has hosted numerous regional sporting events and performances, including the 1993 Blackpink World Tour and 1993’s Hazardous World Tour.

Ramkhamhaeng Road in the Bang Kapi city is the site of Rajamangala National Stadium, which is located next to the Ministry of Tourism and Sports.

The center is overseen by the Sports Authority of Thailand, said Mr Sorawong.

He said,” We are debating whether to make it a concession or a joint investment project between the government and the private sector.”

Funding is required for construction job because the construction is in disrepair.

However, it might not be for repairing. There are many parties interested in renovating the facility, he said, if the private market is permitted to run it.

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Middle path sought in referendum majority row

Senators and MPs asked to weigh the merits of a “one and a half” lot settlement.

Democracy Monument in Bangkok. (Photo: Pattarapong Chatpattarasill)
Politics Monument in Bangkok. ( Photo: Pattarapong Chatpattarasill )

As MPs and Senators continue to squabble over the size of the bulk needed to pass a constitutional amendment election, a list-MP from the United Thai Nation has voiced support for a middle ground.

The combined House-Senate panel, which is seeking to resolve the conflict, said that at least half of eligible voters had first cast a ballot in order for it to be deemed a referendum.

” A referendum is important and the number of participants must be large enough, which by international standards, is ]at least ] half]of eligible voters ]. For instance, if there are 42 million available citizens, 21 million must take part first and the winning voting requires the support of the majority of those who voted”, he said.

” If the number of participants is small, for example if there are 60 million people and only 5 million take part in a referendum, I do n’t think that’s a referendum”.

Social watchers anticipate that some circumstances may result in a low attendance for a vote. For instance, pro-democracy activists have criticized the current proposed language for the election problem.

They claim that it’s problematic to ask candidates if they’d like to see Components 1 and 2 modified. Part 1 defines Thailand as a single, undivided country, a democratic government with the King as the head of state. Part 2 deals with royal privilege.

Before it was ordered dissolved, the Move Forward Party contended that Sections 1 and 2 should also be up for discussion. People who support that viewpoint would have to vote” No” despite the fact that they would support amendments to the constitution as a whole. Many of these citizens may not even vote in the elections.

A so-called double majority requires at least 50 % of eligible voters to participate in the referendum question, and at least 50 % of the votes cast must be approved. If half of the electorate votes in favor of a plain lot, the House supports it.

Mr. Witthaya appears to be in favor of the “one and a half” majority rule that Nikorn Chamnong, a part of the Chartthaipattana and council secretary, suggested to tear the deadlock.

The “one and a half” concept means that more than 50 % of eligible voters may take part in a referendum. But the” Yes” vote could be less than 50 % of ballots cast. Because of this, voters may even abstaining or reject a ballot. In a ballot with, say, 100 votes cast, if there were a total of 20 vetoes and declined vote, leaving 80 Yes and No seats, then 41 Well seats may be enough.

If members ca n’t agree on the size of the majority, according to Mr. Witthaya, the joint committee will likely vote to determine the outcome.

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Thailand to increase emission reduction targets

UN climate summit informed by the culture minister that the nation intends to increase performance.

Natural Resources and Environment Minister Chalermchai Sri-on outlines Thailand’s climate goals in an address to the COP29 conference in Baku, Azerbaijan on Nov 19. (Photo: Reuters)
In a speech to the COP29 event in Baku, Azerbaijan on November 19, Natural Resources and Environment Minister Chalermchai Sri-on lays out Thailand’s climate targets. ( Photo: Reuters )

According to Chalermchai Sri-on, the secretary of natural solutions and setting, Thailand does work to reduce its emissions of harmful chemicals because a follow-up to the 2015 Paris climate agreement shows how far the nation’s work have fallen short of its goal.

At the UN’s Baku, Azerbaijan, COP29 weather conference, Mr. Chalermchai made the remarks on Tuesday.

The conference is scheduled to wrap up on Friday, but it may move on because participants are also negotiating financing options to assist developing nations in addressing climate-related issues.

Near-universal progress has been made in climate action, according to the “global survey” of countries ‘ performance since the Paris Agreement was signed. However, the world is still not on track to reach the long-term goal of reducing pre-industrial warming by 1.5 degrees Fahrenheit.

Additionally, the survey found that some nations were unable to “mobilize and align the necessary financial flows,” and that not enough nations had reached the required levels of resilience.

Countries ‘ nationalized contributions ( NDCs ), which are used as the UN’s reference for the climate actions, including emissions reductions, that they intend to take by 2035, are reviewed and updated using the stocktake.

The NDCs 3.0, as they are known, are expected in 2025 and must be more optimistic than the existing priorities. According to Mr. Chalermchai, they may be the final chance to keep the world within the 1.5C destination.

” We plan to reduce GHG]greenhouse gas ] emissions to below 270 million tons of carbon dioxide equivalent against the 2019 level economy-wide by 2035″, he told the conference.

The application of NDC 3.0 will be supported by a comprehensive natural investment plan. Also, we will raise the GHG drop in land use, land-use alter and forestry by 120 million tons of carbon dioxide equivalent by 2037″.

Thailand is one of the nations most susceptible to the effects of climate change, according to Mr. Chalermchai.

” We have suffered record-breaking warmth of 43 degrees Fahrenheit, flash flood due to heavy rainfall, as well as floods, causing irreversible damage to our business and incomes. This includes grass loss, which may result in a decline in habitat populations of about 50 % in less than six decades, he said.

Thailand emits less than 1 % of the nation’s greenhouse gases.

The minister stated that the government is determined to improve its mitigation efforts and preserve the concept of shared but distinct responsibilities and individual capabilities in order to achieve the NDC 2030 aim by reducing GHG emissions by 222 million tons of similar carbon dioxide in five sectors.

Those industries are electricity, transport, waste, business process and product use, and agribusiness, he added.

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City Hall ‘sorry’ for cycle lane chaos

Only one day after an attempt to encourage more vehicle use, Lane on Sukhumvit 39 was reopened to 4-wheel customers.

City Hall workers restore a traffic lane earlier dedicated for cyclists on Sukhumvit Soi 39 late Tuesday night. (Photo: BMA Traffic and Transportation Department)
Later on Tuesday night, City Hall workers regain a traffic lane on Sukhumvit Soi 39 that had previously been reserved for cyclists. ( Photo: BMA Traffic and Transportation Department )

After closing Sukhumvit Soi 39 for a bicycle lane, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration ( BMA ) apologized and reopened the lane.

In the hemts and adjacent areas, the closing caused significant traffic congestion.

The controversial vehicle street in the Soi in the Watthana district was oversaw by Bangkok chancellor Chadchart Sittipunt on Wednesday.

He claimed that the BMA’s initiative, which was launched in cooperation with international experts and embassies, aimed to encourage walking and cycling in the town.

As part of the site’s pilot phase, a “lane wall” reserved for cyclists was set up in Sukhumvit Soi 39 using foldable customers posts. Nevertheless, narrowing the two-lane cmos to one caused significant traffic gridlock on Tuesday, sparking some complaints from the government.

It even led to chaos on 17 major streets outside, including Phetchaburi Road, Thong Lor and Ekkamai.

Longer lines, according to drivers, reached Phatthanakan Road and Victory Monument. Observers noted that supply riders and motorcycles were the main users of the vehicle lane rather than cyclists.

The BMA decided to remove the street barriers in response to the reaction while still preserving a shared commuter and cycling route.

Mr. Chadchart thanked everyone for the pain and stressed the value of experimenting with industrial growth despite flaws.

” I would like to apologise to the government if this has caused any trouble. If there are errors, we did improve and make them better”, he said.

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Old national stadium eyed as concert venue

Chulalongkorn University will be contacted by the tourism and sports ministry to introduce a new leasing agreement.

Supachalasai National Stadium, which opened in 1938, has a seating capacity of 19,600 for sports events and at least 30,000 for concerts. (Photo: Rangan Datta Wiki via Wikimedia Commons)
Supachalasai National Stadium, which opened in 1938, has a seating capacity of 19, 600 for sporting events and at least 30, 000 for music. ( Photo: Rangan Datta Wiki via Wikimedia Commons )

The Supachalasai National Stadium will be converted into a new musical place in accordance with the Ministry of Tourism and Sports.

The Department of Physical Education’s commitment to use the 86-year-old federal facility is about to expire. According to secretary Sorawong Thienthong, the service will be returned to Chulalongkorn University, who owns the land.

Mr. Sorawong stated that he would deal with the university to grant the university a lease on the inside stadium where concerts can be held.

He claimed that” the discussion has already begun so that Thailand will have a place to host concerts or major activities.”

Pathumwan Palace once owned the land on which the facility is situated. The second sporting event held at the stadium in 1938 was the first one that was completed until 1941, though construction on the facility started in 1937.

The facility features an eight-lane running track and has a seating capacity of 19, 615 for sporting activities.

Supachalasai Stadium has hosted numerous regional sporting events and performances, including the 1993 Blackpink World Tour show and Michael Jackson’s 1993 Harmful World Tour music.

The 26-year-old Rajamangala National Stadium, located in the capital’s Bang Kapi neighborhood, is also on the Ministry of Tourism and Sports ‘ development plan.

The hospital, with a potential exceeding 50, 000, is overseen by the Sports Authority of Thailand, said Mr Sorawong.

He said,” We are debating whether to make it a concession or a joint investment project between the government and the private sector.”

Funding is required for construction job because the construction is in disrepair.

But, it might not be for repairing. There are many parties interested in renovating the facility, he said, if the private sector is permitted to operate it.

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Jury still out on Thaksin’s ‘dual citizenship’

Reviewers questioning the ex-premier’s significant effect in the Pheu Thai Party raise more questions.

Thaksin Shinawatra campaigns in Udon Thani on Nov 14 for the Pheu Thai candidate in the election for Provincial Administration Organisation chairman, which will take place on Nov 24. (Photo: Pheu Thai Party)
In Udon Thani on November 14th, Thaksin Shinawatra may run for the presidency of the Provincial Administration Organization. ( Photo: Pheu Thai Party )

Due to his dual citizenship, former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra‘s function as a” plan helper” for the Pheu Thai Party may not be permitted, according to foreign affairs minister Maris Sangiampongsa on Wednesday.

Political activist Sonthiya Sawasdee has petitioned the Election Commission (EC ), seeking an investigation into Thaksin’s involvement, following the ex-premier’s high-profile visit to Udon Thani recently.

According to reports, Thaksin had obtained a second membership in Montenegro or another nation, Mr. Sonthiya attracted attention. Montenegro prohibits two membership but from 2019-22 it offered” citizen by investment” to those who invested at least 250, 000 dollars in the country. Though the windows has closed, calls for the “golden documents” are still being processed, according to some studies.

Mr. Maris declined to comment on Thaksin’s claim to have a subsequent card.

Suriya Jungrungreangkit, the transport minister and a vital Pheu Thai find, said the side’s legal team had discussed the information.

He claimed that the investigation into the incident led to the conclusion that Thaksin had never violated any laws by supporting the president of the provincial operational organization in Udon Thani last week. According to Mr. Suriya,” the crew looked over the law and concluded there was no cause for concern.”

Numerous legitimate issues have focused on Thaksin and Pheu Thai’s barely-disclosure of influence over the government. The Constitutional Court will decide on Friday whether to hear one of the problems.

However, Mr. Maris claimed that Yingluck Shinawatra, the sister of former prime minister Thaksin, had not contacted the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to inquire about her plans to leave Thailand.

Thaksin, who was quoted by Nikkei Asia on Monday, said that Yingluck should be able to attend the Songkran event in April, either immediately or just before.

He claimed that he saw no barriers to her returning.

Yingluck fled the country in 2017 immediately before a court decision on her administration’s false rice-pledging scheme, according to Thaksin during a visit in his native state of Chiang Mai in April.

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Thailand detects first case of new vaping disease

Health officials anticipate more” Evali” situations because the ban on e-cigarettes has remained in place.

(Photo: Reuters)
( Photo: Reuters )

The first local situation of a new vaping-related condition has been reported in Thailand, and Thai authorities are concerned about additional cases involving frequent e-cigarette use.

A 32-year-old man from Buri Ram has been diagnosed with the condition known as Evali, or E-cigarette or vaping-associated lung injury, according to the Department of Disease Control ( DDC ) at the Ministry of Public Health.

The person, who was admitted to Buri Ram Hospital, was coughing up blood and his condition rapidly developed into serious and severe asthma, said Dr Chayanan Sittibusaya, chairman of the agency’s Division of Tobacco Product Control.

” Our symptoms deteriorated quickly within 24 to 36 hours, and we do n’t typically have acute pneumonia.” In this case, he had to be put on a ventilator”, he said.

” All tests for infection, such as Covid-19, RSV ( respiratory syncytial virus ), and others, were negative. He told specialists he emitted about 400 puffs of an e-cigarette every day after removing his respiration pipe.

Dr. Chayanan said that it was not known how long the gentleman had been pursuing a violent tobacco habit. But, he also had main diseases including diabetes and high blood pressure. Light patches on his lungs were discovered after a thorough physical exam.

Nevertheless, the patient’s condition is improving, and there are no known infections. Nevertheless, he was experiencing symptoms related to smoking removal.

The Buri Ram municipal public health department was given the situation to look into more and was informed of it.

Dr. Chayanan remarked,” We have urged all facilities to report Evali cases to us.” We worry that youthful people’s increased risk of getting e-cigarettes is due to their ease of use.

Despite the government ‘ promise to deal with them, e-cigarettes are prohibited in the country but are readily accessible both online and offline.

Heavy metals and nicotine are among the various harmful substances found in e-cigarettes, according to numerous academic studies. People should steer clear of using e-cigarettes because they can lead to fatalities and even sudden heart attacks, especially if they have chronic problems.

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