Thailand’s consumer confidence slumped to a 21-year low in April as the public remained worried about the poor economy, unemployment and future income because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Bangkok (VNA) – Thailand’s consumer confidence slumped to a 21-yearlow in April as the public remained worried about the poor economy,unemployment and future income because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Universityof the Thai Chamber of Commerce (UTCC) reported on May 8 that the consumerconfidence index (CCI) fell to 47.2 last month from 50.3 in March. This was the14th straight monthly decline and the lowest level since October 1999.
ThanavathPhonvichai, President of the UTCC, said economic conditions are at a criticallevel and consumer spending is unlikely to recover for at least 3-6 monthsuntil the pandemic is under control, all business sectors are allowed to reopenand the government's stimulus measures produce concrete results for theeconomy.
He said thelower confidence stems from consumers' expectation that the economy will fallinto a depression with weakened domestic purchasing power, tourism, exports andemployment.
The farm sectorremains stunted by drought, while farm prices are still relatively low, Thanavathsaid.
The university estimates that the pandemic will cause damage ofup to 1.5 trillion THB (46.8 billion USD) in the first half of the year,including 700 billion THB in lost tourism revenue, 300 billion THB from lowerprivate consumption and the rest from lower exports and border trade.
The recenteasing of measures for certain businesses by the government is estimated toresult in up to 3 billion THB in added spending per day, Thanavath said.
Starting on May3, the government allowed outdoor markets, barbershops and pet groomers tostart reopening after new daily coronavirus cases dropped into the singledigits.
The curfew and aban on alcohol sales will remain until the end of May.
Thanavath saidthat if the government goes through with further easing on May 17, anadditional 6-8 billion THB in daily spending is expected./.
Thailand’s cross-border trade fell by 7.6 percent in the first quarter of this year compared to the same period last year as the COVID-19 pandemic hit the global economy and led bordering countries to close dozens of checkpoints.
Thailand sees positive progress in its fight against the COVID-19 as it recorded only one new case in the two consecutive days on May 5 and 6 – the lowest number since March 9.
Thailand’s Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has announced that both public and private sectors should strictly apply social-distancing measures once the lockdown is lifted or restrictions will be applied again.
The Thai economy would improve once businesses reopen and employ people, and tourism resumes, with measures in place to give visitors confidence in their safety, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha said on May 8.
In his article, Oscar Sanchez Serra highlighted President Ho Chi Minh’s founding of the Thanh Nien (Young People) newspaper on June 21, 1925, which marked the birth of Vietnam's revolutionary press rooted in a bold and far-sighted vision.
Several ASEAN meetings are scheduled to take place in Port Dickson this September, including the Senior Officials' Meeting (SOM) for ASEAN Plus Three (APT), the East Asia Summit (EAS), the 15th ASEAN Maritime Forum, and the 13th Expanded ASEAN Maritime Forum.
Thailand's Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has ordered the urgent implementation of a national policy to crack down on all forms of call centre scams, online fraud, and illegal gambling, which are now considered threats to national security.
Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto and EAEU Trade Minister Andrey Slepnev jointly declared the conclusion of FTA talks on the sidelines of the 28th St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF 2025), according to the statement.
The article stressed that throughout his revolutionary career, the founder of modern Vietnam consistently regarded the revolutionary press as a vital part of the Vietnamese Party’s and nation’s revolutionary struggle.
Pichai said the trade talks with the US are important and need to move forward professionally, without regard for any political changes in Thailand, believing that Thailand has clear principles, guidelines and procedures in place.
The tax adjustment supports the Malaysian Government’s strategy to reduce reliance on foreign food supply chains and to assist domestic farmers, a finance official has said.
The proposed venue is located in the Chatuchak area of Bangkok, featuring eight public sites, including Krungthep Aphiwat Central Terminal and several nearby parks.
Connectivity is expected to improve further with the completion of the fifth Laos–Thailand Friendship Bridge by the end of 2025, facilitating logistics and agricultural exports to Vietnam, Thailand, and China.
Two naval gunboats intercepted a fishing vessel carrying 1.5 tonnes of methamphetamine hydrochloride off the coast of the main island of Luzon just before dawn, in a joint operation with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency.
In the today context of socio-economic development and growth, the professionalism of Vietnam’s revolutionary journalists continues to rise, guided by exemplary mastery of new information technologies and the modernisation of their founding principles to preserve the enduring values of revolutionary journalism.
Thai Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Commerce Vuttikrai Leewiraphan Thailand's formal proposal will be substantial enough for the US to consider further detailed negotiations. He hoped for a tariff rate not exceeding 10% and suggested that the US might extend the negotiation period if an agreement is not reached by the July 8 deadline.
Organised by the Ministry of Culture and the Association of Thai Silk & Culture Promotions, the event honors Her Majesty the Queen on her 47th birthday anniversary and promotes Thai craftsmanship on an international stage.
Prensa Latina's recent article on Vietnam’s assurance of smooth and effective transition to a leaner structure highlighted Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh’s latest directions on implementing 28 resolutions regarding the decentralisation and delegation of authority.
The lab focuses on four key thematic areas: energy transition and green innovation, sustainable agriculture, circular economy and sustainable cities, and nature-based solutions and biodiversity.
The key content of the document titled "Accelerating Innovative Strategies: Addressing the OOSCY Challenges" will be refined further in a seminar preceding the 47th ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur this October.
This follows Telegram’s serious failure to address the content that has been repeatedly reported to them, despite various efforts of negotiation and cooperation made by MCMC, it said.
Illustrative image (Photo: Ashton Hawks) 
