Thailand climbs in digital index
The third annual edition of the Digital Quality of Life Index (DQL) ranks Thailand 44th among 110 countries, with Singapore sixth and Malaysia 31st. Thailand excels in internet quality (19th), but displays comparatively low results in internet affordability (58th), e-infrastructure (46th), e-security (63rd) and e-government (51st). Overall, however, Thailand demonstrated one of the most significant improvements compared to the 2020 survey, rising from 63rd place to 44th and excelling in the internet quality pillar. Despite making a huge leap in the overall index, Thailand has room for improvement in specific areas, such as e-government and e-infrastructure. The United States stands out for the highest digital quality of life in the Americas, while South Korea takes the leading position in Asia.
Source:Bangkok Post
September 22, 2021 23:37 UTC
Current account under pressure
We believe Thailand's current account surplus will shrink from 3.5% of GDP in 2020 to 0% this year, with the risk of falling into a full-year deficit. For the year to July 31, the current account posted a US$9.3-billion deficit, compared with a surplus of $12.9 billion in the same period last year. We forecast goods exports to grow 5% in 2022 as these supply-chain constraints ease. As such, we expect goods imports to grow a further 3.0% in 2022, with domestic consumption and investment picking up. The potential depreciatory effect of a current account deficit on the baht could provide some upside for the tourism sector.
Source:Bangkok Post
September 22, 2021 23:37 UTC
August exports expected to expand at a slower rate
August exports expected to expand at a slower rateShipping containers sit aboard a vessel at Klong Toey Port in Bangkok. According to Commerce Ministry statistics, customs-cleared exports reached US$22.7 billion in July, with imports increasing by 45.9% year-on-year to $22.5 billion, resulting in a trade surplus of $183 million. For the first seven months of 2021, Thai exports expanded by 16.2% to $155 billion, while imports rose by 28.7% to $152 billion, resulting in a trade surplus of $2.62 billion. Real sector exports (excluding gold, oil-related products and weaponry) also continued to soar by 25.4% from July last year. The deal includes a joint effort to help the Australian military acquire nuclear-powered submarines, in an apparent attempt to counter China.
Source:Bangkok Post
September 22, 2021 23:37 UTC
2022 Best Colleges in U.S.: Harvard, Stanford, MIT Take Top Rankings
But some things remain constant: The top tier of the 2022 Wall Street Journal/Times Higher Education College Rankings is packed with familiar names, with Harvard University claiming the top spot for the fifth straight year. But the WSJ/THE College Rankings focus on outputs, emphasizing the return on investment students see after they graduate. The emergence of remote learning during the pandemic has raised new questions about the value of higher education, she says. For those planning to enter college, rankings remain useful tools that students and families can use to help decide where to go. The WSJ/THE rankings are intended to serve as a starting point for families considering their options: The "best" school in the world might not be the best one for you.
Source:Bangkok Post
September 22, 2021 23:37 UTC
Business body seeks incentives to stimulate foreign demand
Business body seeks incentives to stimulate foreign demandThe Phuket sandbox will help revive the residential market in the province next year, but a local business body is calling on the government to provide one-stop services and incentives to boost demand from foreign buyers. "Foreigners buying a Thai property visit Thailand as tourists. Around 3,000 condo units in Phuket had been reserved by foreign buyers in the period before the Covid-19 pandemic, and these were under construction. At present, there were new investments from Thai investors in the property market in Phuket, Phang Nga and Krabi. "Despite the Phuket sandbox, the property market recovery will take time, not this year," he said.
Source:Bangkok Post
September 22, 2021 23:37 UTC
NCSA investigates two data leakage episodes
NCSA investigates two data leakage episodesThe National Cybersecurity Agency (NCSA) has confirmed the personal data of 106 million international travellers to Thailand was exposed online last month, but was quickly secured by authorities, with no sale of the data on underground websites. NCSA is also investigating the reported leakage of personal data from 15 million user records on e-commerce platform Shopee. Gp Capt Amorn Chomchoey, acting secretary-general of NCSA, said Thai authorities were alerted to the leak of travellers' data from a white hacker detecting the unsecured database. According to Comparitech, Thai authorities responded quickly to the disclosure, but the firm had no indication of how long the data was exposed prior to being indexed. He said the Personal Data Protection Act, slated for enforcement in June 2022, would be useful because it authorises fines for those who leak personal data.
Source:Bangkok Post
September 22, 2021 23:37 UTC
OIC unmoved by soaring Covid claims
OIC unmoved by soaring Covid claimsTotal claims for Covid-19 insurance ballooned to 9.43 billion baht at the end of August and are expected to continue rising as the daily infection rate remains high, says the Office of the Insurance Commission (OIC). OIC secretary-general Suthiphon Thaveechaiyagarn said the office monitors and inspects many insurance companies and has not found any systemic risk or impending liquidity crunch arising from the surge in Covid claims. By the end of August, insurance companies paid 9.43 billion baht in Covid claims. Although the increase in claim payments may affect some companies offering Covid insurance, the OIC insisted the premiums received were sufficient to sustain businesses. The OIC is overseeing companies' financial status and operating conditions, both inside and outside insurance companies' offices.
Source:Bangkok Post
September 22, 2021 23:37 UTC
Huawei in 5G partnership with hospitals
Huawei in 5G partnership with hospitalsMr Anutin (centre) attends a live demonstration of 5G smart ambulance, telemedicine and home isolation solutions for remote diagnosis and treatment of patients. Global tech powerhouse Huawei has signed a two-year memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Thailand's Department of Medical Services (DMS) to enhance the country's medical services using 5G-powered technologies. DMS wants to introduce enhanced smart services that apply integrated digital technologies using 5G infrastructure, artificial intelligence, big data and cloud edge computing. With advanced ICT equipment, DMS's expertise and the adoption of 5G technology, it can create equal access to quality and timely healthcare, he said, adding that the DMS and Huawei will jointly explore the benefits of 5G in the healthtech field under this MoU. Under this two-year agreement, Huawei will provide 5G technology to the two partner hospitals, enabling the immediate upgrade of their existing infrastructure, he said.
Source:Bangkok Post
September 22, 2021 23:26 UTC
Corporate capture of UN summit
Given the lack of progress toward ending global hunger and malnutrition by 2030, the UN secretary-general, Antonio Guterres, will convene a Food Systems Summit in New York on Sept 23. One of Gain's donors is the pesticide producer BASF, which seeks to portray itself as a "food systems hero". UN human-rights experts have been damning in their criticism of the process, which has sidelined the UN's Committee on World Food Security (CFS). Permitting this outlook to dominate major international forums like the UN Food Systems Summit will further undermine democracy and self-determination. Sadly, the UN summit is more likely to feed corporate profits than provide hope to hundreds of millions of hungry people.
Source:Bangkok Post
September 22, 2021 23:26 UTC
Veerathai highlights seven pressing issues
Veerathai: Bolster advanced techThe government needs to address seven pressing issues in its new national economic and social development plan, says Veerathai Santiprabhob, former governor of the Bank of Thailand. He made the remarks on Wednesday at the annual meeting of the National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC). The first pressing issue is bloated state agencies and state enterprises, resulting in ballooning state budgets, Mr Veerathai said. This could result in Thailand becoming less interesting in the eyes of foreign investors as the country's domestic market is still small, said Mr Veerathai. The country should also focus more on human resource development, particularly in the science and technology domain, Mr Veerathai said.
Source:Bangkok Post
September 22, 2021 23:25 UTC
Inter schools want nod to open classes
The ministries recently announced school safety measures requiring at least 85% of teachers and staff to be vaccinated. The authorities also require schools to randomly conduct Covid-rapid tests on staff and students by using antigen test kits every two weeks. The schools will limit the number of students in classes by half to allow social distancing. Some ISAT member schools conducted a survey asking if parents wanted their kids to return to school. "We ask that the government allow schools to open under strict safety conditions as soon as possible."
Source:Bangkok Post
September 22, 2021 23:15 UTC
Ciggie tax needs care
Ciggie tax needs careNext week, the cabinet will decide on a new excise tax structure for cigarettes that will be implemented from Oct 1. Under the current rate, a 20% tax rate is applied to the retail price for packs costing up to 60 baht, and 40% for more expensive retail packs. Indeed, a flat tax rate of 40% was scheduled to be applied in October 2019. The Finance Ministry previously requested the cabinet extend the two-tier tobacco tax rate to the end of September 2020. While several countries use tax measures to reduce cigarette smoking, local tax has played far too many roles and has hardly accomplished anything.
Source:Bangkok Post
September 22, 2021 23:15 UTC
'Joe Ferrari' case lifts lid on police corruption
'Joe Ferrari' case lifts lid on police corruptionThe case of 'Joe Ferrari' has spotlighted police corruption that experts say infects almost every level of society in Thailand. The case of Thitisan Utthanaphon, a former police station chief in a rural province -- nicknamed "Joe Ferrari" for his extravagant lifestyle -- has fired up calls for reform. The footage went viral, shocking the kingdom and prompting police to arrest Pol Col Thitisan and several other officers. Pol Col Thitisan denies all the charges against him. Seven years on, the Joe Ferrari case shows how little has been achieved in stamping out police malpractice, and observers hold out little hope of serious change.
Source:Bangkok Post
September 22, 2021 07:17 UTC
SCB, AIS shares jump over online lending JV
SCB, AIS shares jump over online lending JVShares in Thailand's third largest lender, Siam Commercial Bank Plc (SCB) jumped in morning trading on Wednesday, following its announcement of a joint venture with the country's top mobile network, Advanced Info Service Plc (AIS). SCB and AIS late on Tuesday announced the creation of AISCB, to provide online lending via online platforms. AIS shares rose nearly 3% against a benchmark index gain of 0.1%. AIS, which has 43 million mobile subscribers in Thailand, will hold equal shares in the venture. Rival lender Kasikornbank Plc began a digital lending push with Japanese mobile chat app operator Line Corp and launched services last year.
Source:Bangkok Post
September 22, 2021 07:07 UTC
Mathayom 6 student hangs himself
Mathayom 6 student hangs himselfMedics with the wrapped body of the 18-year-old boy who hanged himself at his grandparents' house in Bua Yai district, Nakhon Ratchasima province, on Tuesday night, ready to take him to Bua Yai Hospital for postmortem examination. (Photo: Prasit Tangprasert)NAKHON RATCHASIMA: An 18-year-old Mathayomsuksa 6 student hanged himself in his room at his grandparents' house in Bua Yai district on Tuesday night, leaving a suicide note, police said. Police and medics from Bua Yai Hospital rushed to the house at Non Kaphi village in tambon Non Thong Lang on being informed. Dew lived in the house with his grandparents because his father and mother were away working in Bangkok. Dew's body was sent to Bua Yai Hospital for a postmortem examination.
Source:Bangkok Post
September 22, 2021 06:11 UTC