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Choppy waters for the economy as central bank tries to cling to its benign interest rate policy by Joseph O' Connor On Monday, speaking at a forum in Bangkok, Governor Sethaput Suthiwartnarueput of the Bank of Thailand highlighted the kingdom’s sky-high household debt level which he told his audience stood at 88% of GDP at the end of June or approximately ฿15 trillion. The bank had been planning two further rate hikes of 25 basis points this year, one on Wednesday and the other at the end of November but the pressure is mounting for a heftier rate rise to prop up the falling baht as the gap between interest rates in the United States and Thailand has widened substantially in the last few months. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1272988-choppy-waters-for-the-economy-as-central-bank-tries-to-cling-to-its-benign-interest-rate-policy/

On Monday, speaking at a forum in Bangkok, Governor Sethaput Suthiwartnarueput of the Bank of Thailand highlighted the kingdom’s sky-high household debt level which he told his audience stood at 88% of GDP at the end of June or approximately ฿15 trillion. The bank had been planning two further rate hikes of 25 basis points this year, one on Wednesday and the other at the end of November but the pressure is mounting for a heftier rate rise to prop up the falling baht as the gap between interest rates in the United States and Thailand has widened substantially in the last few months. by Joseph O' Connor All eyes will be on the Bank of Thailand’s Monetary Policy Committee meeting on Wednesday when it will be under pressure to go beyond a 25 basis points rise in the borrowing rate which currently stands at 0.75%. Inflation of 7.86% in August and the plummeting baht will make a strong case for a heftier rise but the impact of higher borrowing costs on ฿15 trillion in household debt recorded at the end of June gives us some idea of how this may impact what Bank of Thailand Governor Sethaput Suthiwartnarueput has described as a fragile and uneven economic recovery with the country trying desperately to move beyond the disaster inflicted on the economy in 2020. Pressure is building on the Bank of Thailand as it seeks to maintain its benign interest rate policy as the baht tumbled again on Monday with US interest rates at between 3% and 3.25% and Thailand’s at 0.75%. This comes as Thailand reported a $4.2 billion trade deficit in August and with the country’s vast foreign exchange reserves falling by 5.4% from mid-August up to last Friday. On Monday, days ahead of the Monetary Policy Committee of the central bank, Governor Sethaput Suthiwartnarueput told a forum that he was concerned about the kingdom’s massive ฿15 trillion in household debt which he described as a structural impediment to GDP growth. As the baht tumbled again on Monday, at one point, hitting ฿37.90 against the dollar before falling back to ฿37.82, it had fallen by as much as 17.59% since the 13th of February when it was quoted at ฿32.16 to the greenback. Full story: https://www.thaiexaminer.com/thai-news-foreigners/2022/09/26/choppy-waters-for-the-economy-as-baht-falls/ -- © Copyright Thai Examiner 2022-09-27 - Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here. Monthly car subscription with first-class insurance, 24x7 assistance and more in one price - click here to find out more!

Health Ministry to Stop Reporting Daily COVID Cases on Oct 1 BANGKOK, (TNA) – The Public Health Ministry will stop its daily reports on new COVID-19 cases and fatalities related to the disease on Oct 1 when COVID-19 will be defined as a communicable disease under surveillance instead of a dangerous communicable. disease. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1272987-health-ministry-to-stop-reporting-daily-covid-cases-on-oct-1/

BANGKOK, (TNA) – The Public Health Ministry will stop its daily reports on new COVID-19 cases and fatalities related to the disease on Oct 1 when COVID-19 will be defined as a communicable disease under surveillance instead of a dangerous communicable. disease. The ministry revealed its plan to end the daily COVID-19 figure reports as it announced measures to handle the disease after an end to the state of emergency imposed to cope with the pandemic and the dissolution of the Center for COVID-19 Situation Administration on Oct. 1. Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul ordered provincial communicable committees to work out action plans to handle COVID-19 as a communicable disease under surveillance. He said that his ministry would relax disease control measures to facilitate tourism like other countries did. Full story: https://tna.mcot.net/english-news-1025477 -- © Copyright Thai News Agency 2022-09-27 - Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here. Monthly car subscription with first-class insurance, 24x7 assistance and more in one price - click here to find out more!

to continue: Thailand Live Tuesday 27 September 2022 https://aseannow.com/topic/1272986-thailand-live-tuesday-27-september-2022/

Bangkok takes precautions ahead of arrival of tropical storm Noru this Thursday File photo The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has taken steps, including draining water out of canals in and around the city and procuring 2.5 million sandbags to reinforce flood walls, to brace for heavy rain and possible waterway overflows induced by tropical storm Noru, which is expected to hit some north-eastern provinces this Thursday. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1272960-bangkok-takes-precautions-ahead-of-arrival-of-tropical-storm-noru-this-thursday/

Nong Samo Hospital reveals at least one million people a year get bitten by dogs Nong Samo Hospital in Pong held a seminar on rabies after statistics showed that at least one million people a year got bitten by dogs in Thailand. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1272963-nong-samo-hospital-reveals-at-least-one-million-people-a-year-get-bitten-by-dogs/

Pound slumps to all-time low against dollar By Monica Miller & Peter Hoskins The pound has fallen to a record low against the dollar as markets react to the UK's biggest tax cuts in 50 years. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1272925-pound-slumps-to-all-time-low-against-dollar/

By Monica Miller & Peter Hoskins The pound has fallen to a record low against the dollar as markets react to the UK's biggest tax cuts in 50 years. In early Asia trade, sterling slipped just below $1.04 - the lowest level since decimalisation in 1971 - before regaining some ground to about $1.05. That came after Chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng unveiled historic tax cuts funded by huge increases in borrowing. Full story: https://www.bbc.com/news/business-63030208 -- © Copyright BBC 2022-09-26

Vegetarian Festival Starts in Bangkok’s Chinatown BANGKOK, Sept 26 (TNA) – The vegetarian festival started at the old Yaowarat market as most consumers understood the rising prices of vegetarian foods. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1272923-vegetarian-festival-starts-in-bangkok’s-chinatown/

BANGKOK, Sept 26 (TNA) – The vegetarian festival started at the old Yaowarat market as most consumers understood the rising prices of vegetarian foods. The festival was set from Sept 25 to Oct 4. Thai people of the Chinese origin were actively buying vegetarian foods and ingredients to prepare such foods as they were about to abstain meat consumption from Sept 26. The owner of Lim Uang Shui, an 80-year-old vegetarian food eatery, said the shop had to raise its food prices by 10 baht per pack because the costs of ingredients were increasing due to economic problems and flooding. Full story: https://tna.mcot.net/english-news-1025140 -- © Copyright Thai News Agency 2022-09-26 - Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here. Monthly car subscription with first-class insurance, 24x7 assistance and more in one price - click here to find out more!

Phuket Governor orders continued monitoring after tremor felt from earthquake on Sumatra Island By Goongnang Suksawat Phuket – The Phuket Governor has ordered close monitoring after earthquakes were reported on Sumatra Island with tremors felt in Phuket but no damages were reported. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1272921-phuket-governor-orders-continued-monitoring-after-tremor-felt-from-earthquake-on-sumatra-island/

By Goongnang Suksawat Phuket – The Phuket Governor has ordered close monitoring after earthquakes were reported on Sumatra Island with tremors felt in Phuket but no damages were reported. The Phuket Governor Narong Woonciew immediatedly ordered local authorities to check on any damages. The initial assessment showed that no damage was reported in Phuket. Full story: https://thephuketexpress.com/2022/09/25/update-phuket-governor-orders-continued-monitoring-after-tremor-felt-from-earthquake-on-sumatra-island/ -- © Copyright The Phuket Express 2022-09-26 - Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here. Monthly car subscription with first-class insurance, 24x7 assistance and more in one price - click here to find out more!

Three foreign tourists rescued after getting stuck in a rip current near Patong Beach By Goongnang Suksawat PHOTO: Patong Lifeguard Patong – Three female foreign tourists have been rescued after getting stuck in a rip current near Patong Beach at night. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1272920-three-foreign-tourists-rescued-after-getting-stuck-in-a-rip-current-near-patong-beach/

PHOTO: Patong Lifeguard By Goongnang Suksawat Patong – Three female foreign tourists have been rescued after getting stuck in a rip current near Patong Beach at night. The Patong Lifeguards reported September 23rd that at about 8:00 P.M. three female foreign tourists were seen calling for help in the sea near Patong Beach. It was very lucky that there were some jet-ski operators and lifeguards who were still at the Beach at this time. The three foreign tourists were safely taken back to the beach by a jet-ski. The Patong Lifeguards are warning tourists not to go into the sea at night. Full story: https://thephuketexpress.com/2022/09/24/three-foreign-tourists-rescued-after-getting-stuck-in-a-rip-current-near-patong-beach/ -- © Copyright The Phuket Express 2022-09-26 - Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here. Monthly car subscription with first-class insurance, 24x7 assistance and more in one price - click here to find out more!

Officials inspect Singkhorn border checkpoint ahead of possible reopening By Online Reporter File photo Officials have inspected the Singkhorn border checkpoint ahead of its possible full reopening next month. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1272918-officials-inspect-singkhorn-border-checkpoint-ahead-of-possible-reopening/

File photo By Online Reporter Officials have inspected the Singkhorn border checkpoint ahead of its possible full reopening next month. Last week, the Governor of Prachuap Khiri Khan Province, along with government agencies and private sector representatives, visited the Singkhorn temporary checkpoint and inspected the border checkpoint building. Currently the border can only be used as a temporary loading and unloading point for the transportation of goods between the Prachuap Khiri Khan and Myeik Province in Myanmar. However, from October 1, officials in Prachuap are aiming for the Singkhorn to fully reopen with government agency staff set to resume operations from the main building at the checkpoint. Full story: https://www.huahintoday.com/hua-hin-news/officials-inspect-singkhorn-border-checkpoint-ahead-of-possible-reopening/ -- © Copyright Hua Hin Today 2022-09-26 - Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here. Monthly car subscription with first-class insurance, 24x7 assistance and more in one price - click here to find out more!

Pattaya mayor announces set prices and legal selling hours for beach services By Tanakorn Panyadee PHOTO: TMN Cable TV Pattaya Pattaya — Pattaya Mayor Poramase Ngampiches announced set prices and legal selling hours for beach services. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1272917-pattaya-mayor-announces-set-prices-and-legal-selling-hours-for-beach-services/

PHOTO: TMN Cable TV Pattaya By Tanakorn Panyadee Pattaya — Pattaya Mayor Poramase Ngampiches announced set prices and legal selling hours for beach services. The mayor has ordered all beach vendors in Pattaya City limits to strictly obey to these prices for the following services: Normal beach chairs – no more than 50 baht per day Laydown beach chairs – no more than 100 baht per day Small swim ring – no more than 50 baht per day Big swim ring – no more than 100 baht per day Additionally, the mayor determined the official opening times for beach chair vendors, which are 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday through Sunday and on special holidays. During upcoming events like the Pattaya Fireworks Festival or Loy Krathong, the vendors will be allowed to operate from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Full story: https://thepattayanews.com/2022/09/24/pattaya-mayor-announces-set-prices-and-legal-selling-hours-for-beach-services/ -- © Copyright The Pattaya News 2022-09-26 - Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here. Monthly car subscription with first-class insurance, 24x7 assistance and more in one price - click here to find out more!

Tim Newton Today - Sep 26: Bangkok open til midnight, moving the capital, US President a no-show at APEC Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1272916-tim-newton-today-sep-26-bangkok-open-til-midnight-moving-the-capital-us-president-a-no-show-at-apec/

A proposal to keep some of Bangkok's tourist areas open until midnight, beyond just the party zones, President Biden not coming to APEC, moving Bangkok's urban population centre.

Pattaya City Council urges Mayor to broaden legal operating zone for nightlife venues By Tanakorn Panyadee Pattaya —The Pattaya City Council urged the mayor to broaden the legal operating zone for nightlife venues to include those outside the zone in order to cope with new possible legal opening hours. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1272915-pattaya-city-council-urges-mayor-to-broaden-legal-operating-zone-for-nightlife-venues/

By Tanakorn Panyadee Pattaya —The Pattaya City Council urged the mayor to broaden the legal operating zone for nightlife venues to include those outside the zone in order to cope with new possible legal opening hours. The proposal was raised by a member of the Pattaya City Council, Damrongkiat Pinitkan, during the council’s 5th meeting on Friday, September 23rd, urging the mayor to revise the legal operating zone for nightlife venues, which has remained unchanged since 2002 or 20 years ago. Damrongkiat cited that there were many venues outside the current zones that aspired to operate fully legally, and their sole obstacle was this obsolete rule. According to him, the rule only allowed operators to run entertainment businesses on the right side of Pattaya Third Road down to Bali Hai Pier. But in reality, many businesses popped up on the left side as well as Jomtien and Naklua, and they all wished to receive a proper license. “When these venues are in the legal operating zones, they will benefit from the extension of the legal opening hours too,” Damrongkiat said in the meeting. Full story: https://thepattayanews.com/2022/09/24/pattaya-city-council-urges-mayor-to-broaden-legal-operating-zone-for-nightlife-venues/ -- © Copyright The Pattaya News 2022-09-26 - Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here. Monthly car subscription with first-class insurance, 24x7 assistance and more in one price - click here to find out more!

Thai teen Atthaya edges Kang for LPGA NW Arkansas trophy Atthaya Thitikul holds her trophy after winning the LPGA Walmart NW Arkansas Championship golf tournament, Sunday, Sept. 25, 2022, in Rogers, Ark. (AP Photo/Michael Woods) Thailand’s golfer Atthaya Thitikul rolled in a birdie putt at the second playoff hole on Sunday to edge Danielle Kang and capture her second LPGA title at the NW Arkansas Championship. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1272911-thai-teen-atthaya-edges-kang-for-lpga-nw-arkansas-trophy/

Thai Baht continues to weaken below 37.60 Baht/US$ as market awaits outcome of MPC to raise rates By Narudon Daisachulshu The Thai Baht continued its dip as the new week starts and Kasikorn Research Center has come out to say that it expects the Thai currency to slide to as low as 37.80 Baht to the US$ during the course of this week. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1272906-thai-baht-continues-to-weaken-below-3760-bahtus-as-market-awaits-outcome-of-mpc-to-raise-rates/