Apr 23, 2013
Bangkok World Book Capital 2013 kicked off
April 23, 2013, at 7 a.m., Bangkok city governor and people donated books as symbolic morning alms for 400 Buddhist Theravada monks to commemorate Bangkok World Book Capital 2013. At 8:30 a.m. the governor, with representatives from UNESCO, IPA, IFLA, IBF revealed a commemorative postage, with the first-day cover on sale until May 15.
I think a more interesting story which was not mentioned in the news event today but I want to add is that, the Bangkok Metropolitant Administration (BMA) would build its new main office building and the original city hall would be turned into Bangkok city library. That 's a better news.
Ref: Than News
Thai people rushed to buy gold after global price dropped
News reported a large number of Thai people nationwide tried to buy gold, after a sudden drop in global price caused around 3,000 Baht price reduction (per "one Baht by weight" or 15.2 gram) in addition to the recent down trend since few months earlier, which would have caused a loss of around 6,000 Baht. Meanwhile, small gold-trading shops reportedly closed since they initially purchased gold at higher price and did not want to sell as a lost.
Pawn shops are also badly affected. With drastic gold price reduction below the previous pawned values, pawn shop owners estimated that customers up to 40% might not return to claim their golds and pay back the loans. However, pawn shops would keep gold for long term so that they would not lose money.
Ref: Than News
Pawn shops are also badly affected. With drastic gold price reduction below the previous pawned values, pawn shop owners estimated that customers up to 40% might not return to claim their golds and pay back the loans. However, pawn shops would keep gold for long term so that they would not lose money.
Ref: Than News
Thailand Ministry of Finance reported better government balance
Ministry of Finance reported that, for the first half of the fiscal year B.E. 2556 (starting October 2012) the government of Thailand had income of 957.192 billion Baht, a 17.9% higher than the same period of the previous fiscal year.
Spending rates of government agencies was 1,371.578 billion Baht, or 8.1 % higher than last year's, which is considered better.
Budget balance deficit was 414.386 billion Baht, plus 115.556 or ex-budget deficit, resulted in the government having a cash deficit of 529.942 billion Bahts. The government had seeked loan of 163.758 billion Baht, as such the cash deficit was 366.184 billion Baht.
The reserve status at the end of March 2013, as 194.153 billion Baht, or 160.5% higher than last year's.
Ref: Prachachat newspaper
Spending rates of government agencies was 1,371.578 billion Baht, or 8.1 % higher than last year's, which is considered better.
Budget balance deficit was 414.386 billion Baht, plus 115.556 or ex-budget deficit, resulted in the government having a cash deficit of 529.942 billion Bahts. The government had seeked loan of 163.758 billion Baht, as such the cash deficit was 366.184 billion Baht.
The reserve status at the end of March 2013, as 194.153 billion Baht, or 160.5% higher than last year's.
Ref: Prachachat newspaper
Bangkok traffic cameras at 30 intersections resume operation
Bangkok's Traffic Police unit announced that closed circuit cameras monitoring 30 intersections in the city has been repaired and resumed their operation. For the first 3 months of 2013, over 12,000 traffic tickets have been issued and mailed to car owners caught violating red lights.
Red shirt mobs still followed to harass Democrat politicians in their rallies
Recently, the Democrat Party held a political rally in Sisaket province in the northeast. As usual, a small group of red shirts went to harass the activity.
This behavior is highly criticized by the press, esp. that the government keeps quiet on this.
Ref: Bangkok Post Editorial
This behavior is highly criticized by the press, esp. that the government keeps quiet on this.
Ref: Bangkok Post Editorial
Government MP to challenge Constitution Court
A group of 312 members of Thai parliaments from the Pheu Thai party and senators are seeking impeachment of all 9 judges of the Constitution Court for they don't agree with a recent decision of the court.
Some scholars have criticized this move as inappropriate.
Ref: Bangkok Post
Some scholars have criticized this move as inappropriate.
Ref: Bangkok Post
Apr 4, 2013
Thailand MOF criticized for trying to use national reserve
Spoke person of the Democrat Party criticized the current Minister of Finance when he proposed to use 30 Billion Baht of national reserve money to pay for duty fee reimbursements the First Car project and the Rice price setting policy of the current government.
The spoke person said that it would be a severe violation of the guidelines for financial good practices and that the previous Democrat government had accrued Thailand monetary reserve for the future while the present government try to diminish it with its futile policy to appease voters. He predicted that value added tax (VAT), currently at 7%, would likely be increased next.
Ref: Matichon
The spoke person said that it would be a severe violation of the guidelines for financial good practices and that the previous Democrat government had accrued Thailand monetary reserve for the future while the present government try to diminish it with its futile policy to appease voters. He predicted that value added tax (VAT), currently at 7%, would likely be increased next.
Ref: Matichon
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