Day: April 22, 2024

Hanoi: The State Bank of Vietnam announced on April 22 that it has cancelled the auction of SJC-branded gold bars, which had been set for 10am the same day, as there are not enough businesses registering to join the auction and transferring deposits in accordance with regulations. The auction will be organised at 10am on April 23 instead. Earlier, the central bank had announced that it would auction 16,800 taels of SJC gold bars. The starting price has been set at 81.8 million VND (3,214 USD) per tael, and bidders need to deposit 10% of their purchase value. After the SBV's cancellation notice, the prices of gold bars decreased significantly. At 9:40am, gold bullion was traded at 80.07-80.7 million VND for buying, down 1.25-1.58 million VND; and 82.9-83.2 million VND for selling, a drop of 700,000 -850,000 VND as compared with the previous session. The last time the bank sold gold bars was in 2013 when over 1.8 million taels were offloaded, with a total of 76 auctions. A tael equals 37.5 grams or 1.2 oun ces./. Source: Vietnam News Agency

Railway and Faculty of Medicine King Mongkut's University of Technology Ladkrabang organized the 6th Doctor Train activity to conduct health check-ups with a team of medical experts. Ready to launch a new app Health history record For a better quality of life Mr. Nirut Maneephan, Governor of the State Railway of Thailand (SRT), presided over the opening ceremony of the Doctor Train activity "Good Health Train People, Happy Life" K-MED and SRT: Medical Innovation. Towards a healthy community at Bangkok Station (Hua Lamphong) with Professor Dr. Anan Srikiatkhajorn, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine King Mongkut's Institute of Technology Ladkrabang (KMITL) Dr. Anawat Sermsawan, Deputy Dean, Faculty of Medicine King Mongkut's Institute of Technology Ladkrabang, the executive team of the Faculty of Medicine, KMITL, along with the executive team of the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) participated in this activity. which is considered a cooperation between the railways with King Mongkut's Institute of Technology Lad krabang (KMITL) in offering health screening services to railway personnel, families, and citizens aged 20 years and over between 22 - 23 April 2024 to encourage everyone People have the opportunity to access treatment and services. A new form of equitable public health Mr. Ekarat Sriarayanphong The head of the Office of the Governor of the State Railway of Thailand revealed that the State Railway of Thailand and the Faculty of Medicine King Mongkut's Institute of Technology Ladkrabang (KMITL) has joined forces to organize the Doctor Train activity. Healthy Train People, Happy Lives by a team of leading expert medical professors in Thailand, including the doctors and nurses of Burachat Chaiyakorn Hospital. Come provide health check services Diagnose and screen various diseases such as heart disease, lung disease, allergies, asthma and other important medical diseases for employees. and railway employees, their families, and the general public, totaling more than 500 people, free of charge. As well as giving advice on various health problems if a disease is detected. The medical team will refer treatment to the collaborating hospital. Get treatment immediately. Dr. Anawat Sermsawan, Deputy Dean of the Faculty of Medicine King Mongkut's Institute of Technology Ladkrabang He added that KMITL Faculty of Medicine is an international medical faculty. that focuses on producing doctors who, in addition to having professional medical competencies of international standards, also have research and innovation abilities. During the recent COVID-19 pandemic crisis, the Faculty of Medicine and various faculties of KMITL have worked together to develop medical equipment such as oxygen generators. High Flow Oxygen Controller, etc. and has distributed such equipment to various agencies. Across all regions In organizing this activity, we raised the level of public health services. By the Faculty of Medicine and the Faculty of Engineering, KMITL, have developed the Metabolic Syndrome application. in android system Used as a model for a new type of health care for the people. by this application It has been developed to record health history or OPD cards, which will help in recording daily health. To assess and plan health There is also other information recorded to be useful in maintaining health, such as history of drug allergies. It is like an individual's personal health book. When it is time to see the doctor who is taking care of the appointment or having to see a doctor in a different hospital or different areas It can be useful in the information of medical history. To ensure continuity and reduce the risk of using drugs to which the patient is allergic. Including other limitations within the application. There are also various fun activities to join in to create motivation to change behavior appropriately. To reduce the risk of developing serious diseases, it will be piloted first among railway personnel. and will continue to be developed for use in other communities Mr. Ekarat added that this Doctor Train activity is conside red another community health system development activity that aims to promote the creation of healthy behaviors. Improving lifestyles as well as stimulating awareness about health. The Railway is committed to continuously carrying out social responsibility activities according to the concept of "Train with Community" of Mr. Nirut Maneepan, Governor. Train that sees the importance To create opportunities to access the medical examination and health care system for everyone, including railway workers, families, siblings, and people in nearby areas over the past year. Under the memorandum of understanding between the Railway and the Faculty of Medicine King Mongkut's Institute of Technology Ladkrabang (KMITL) has joined forces to bring a medical team to the area to set up a unit. Mobile specialists continuously check health in various regions across the country, such as Chumphon, Lampang, Nakhon Ratchasima, Kaeng Khoi and Uttaradit. There are a total of more than 2,700 people receiving services, including 1,890 railway workers and 810 general people. Counseling will also be provided. health problems and continuously monitor symptoms which can communicate with Family Care through the application Free of charge. In addition, train cars will be converted into mobile train clinics. It will be attached to the train on various routes. The interior of the train is divided into an examination room, an x-ray room, a screening room and a medicine dispensing room. Doctor meeting room The food storage room and bathroom are expected to be completed by 2024 to be used for the Doctor Train project.-516- Source: Thai News Agency

Hanoi: The flow of foreign direct investment (FDI) into the Vietnamese garment and textile sector has rebounded thanks to the country's sound investment climate and abundant workforce as well as its open economy, according to insiders. Chairman of the Vietnam Textile and Apparel Association (VITAS) Vu Duc Giang said foreign garment and textile producers are expanding their operations in Vietnam to take advantages in the Vietnamese market. He held that various free trade agreements (FTA), particularly new-generation deals such as the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), EU-Vietnam FTA (EVFTA) and Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) to which Vietnam is a signatory is a locomotive for the sector to lure both domestic and foreign investors. The management board of industrial parks of the northern province of Nam Dinh has granted an investment certificate to Hong Kong-based Crystal International Group to carry out its 60-million-USD Yi Da Denim Mill pro ject. The group has run various plants in the northern localities of Hai Duong, Hai Phong, Bac Giang and Phu Tho and the southern province of Binh Duong, with a combined export revenue of some 1 billion USD and generating jobs for 40,000 local workers. Meanwhile, the world's leading zipper producer YKK Corp. from Japan invested in its second plant at Dong Van industrial zone in the northern province of Ha Nam. According to YKK Vietnam General Director Yuji Furukawa, after 25 years of operation in Vietnam, YKK has increased its zipper productivity by 100 folds, and the number of workers seven folds to 2,800 labourers. Earlier, YKK had to import several materials to provide its local customers. However, its Vietnamese plant is now able to manufacture all of YKK products and even ship them to foreign countries like Cambodia and Myanmar, he said. Most recently, SAB Industrial Vietnam Company Limited under China's Weixing group put into operation its 62-million-USD factory in the north-central province of Than h Hoa. Covering 66.44 hectares, the factory produces various items, including metal, plastic and nylon zippers, and plastic and metal buttons. Besides helping the sector reduce its dependence on imported raw materials, FDI capital has played an important role in reducing manufacturing time and transport costs, making products become more competitive. In Quarter 1 of 2024, Vietnam gained nearly 8 billion USD from garment and textile export revenue, with FDI firms contributing over 60% of the total./. Source: Vietnam News Agency

The Ministry of Energy and the Ministry of Commerce join forces to inspect fuel dispensers and fuel gauges. of gas stations throughout the country continuously. If there are any corrections, modifications or inaccuracies The maximum penalty is 7 years imprisonment and a fine of 280,000 baht. Department of Energy Business Ministry of Energy Visited the area together with the Department of Internal Trade Ministry of Commerce to inspect every fuel nozzle and dispenser to see if any modifications have caused the fuel quantity gauge to be inaccurate or not. and to build confidence that people who use oil get the full volume of oil per liter. Mr. Sarawut Kaewtathip, Director-General of the Department of Energy Business, said that this was due to the recent case of not supplying a full liter of fuel to the public at a gas station. The Department has collaborated with the Department of Internal Trade and Provincial Energy Offices throughout the country. Continuously inspect fuel dispensers and dispensers in fuel s tations. On the main roads that are public travel routes and routes to various tourist attractions. To build confidence among the people The Department of Energy Business emphasizes checking whether there have been any modifications to fuel dispensers and nozzles other than those permitted. If found to have been altered without permission There will be a penalty of imprisonment not exceeding 1 year, a fine not exceeding 100,000 baht, or both. And the Department of Internal Trade inspects fuel gauges to ensure they meet standards and according to the law. The public can check to build confidence initially from the certification mark displayed near the fuel dispenser. If it is found that the amount of oil is inaccurate and does not comply with the law with the intention of modifying the dispenser head to cause discrepancies There will be a maximum penalty of imprisonment not exceeding 7 years and a fine not exceeding 280,000 baht. For the results of past inspections Still haven't found any engine oil dispense rs that have discrepancies. The standard oil volume is full liter. and the dispenser gauge has a certification mark of authenticity which received good cooperation from all gas station operators. along with confirming that it was especially strict Because accuracy is the most important thing -511 - Source: Thai News Agency

The baht hit its weakest level in more than six months at 36.97 baht per dollar. before returning to the level of 36.94-36.96 baht per dollar. This morning (9.52 a.m.) compared to the market closing level at the end of last week at 36.86 baht per dollar. Miss Kanchana Chokpaisansin Research executive Kasikorn Research Center stated that the baht weakened following the overall price of gold in the world market. Yuan and Yen, while the dollar continues to gain support due to its safe-haven currency status. and the expectation that the Fed will not be in a hurry to cut interest rates After many officials from the US Federal Reserve or the Fed still expressed concern about inflation. Along with evaluating that US economy There are still good signs of expansion. For the framework of the movement of the baht today Initial estimate is 36.80-37.00 baht per dollar. The factor that must be followed will be the direction of foreign fund flow. The direction of gold prices in the world market Situation in the Middle Ea st and the announcement of the Prime Customer Rate (LPR) by the People's Bank of China. Mr. Poon Panitchpibun, money market strategist, Krungthai GLOBAL MARKETS, Krung Thai Bank Revealed that there is a chance of continued depreciation, testing the level of 37.00 baht per dollar and the level of 37.25 baht per dollar. This is the weakest point of the baht in 2023. In the past, the baht value was viewed this week at the level of 36.50-37.25 baht/dollar due to the conflict situation in the Middle East. It is still a factor that needs to be watched. In addition, we should wait for the US PCE inflation report as well as the manufacturing and service sector PMI indexes of the US, Europe and Japan. 'We still consider Transaction flows pay dividends to foreign investors that will reach around 16 billion baht this week. This may be a factor that pressures the fluctuating baht to depreciate. You should wait to follow the assessment of economic trends and monetary policy directions of the Bank of Thailand (BoT) at th e Monetary Policy Forum seminar. You must wait and watch to see if the bank The country will send a signal about the opportunity to gradually reduce interest rates. Since the June meeting As some market players expect or not,' Mr. Poon stated. Krungthai GLOBAL MARKETS maintains its recommendation that market players should choose to use a variety of exchange rate risk hedging tools. Amidst the fluctuation of the baht Including other currencies which was reasonably higher than in the past Market players may choose to use additional tools such as Options or Local Currency along with closing risks through Forward contracts -511 - Source: Thai News Agency

The Office of Trade Policy and Strategy or the Office of Trade Policy and Strategy has revealed that equal marriage will be an opportunity for Thai service businesses. such as hotel business and businesses related to wedding organization, including photography studio businesses Wedding dress rental business As marriage rights increase the demand for wedding celebrations, there is definitely room for growth in these businesses. Mr. Poonphong Naiyanaphakorn, Director of the Trade Policy and Strategy Office or TNOC, said that on March 27, 2024, the Thai House of Representatives passed a resolution approving the equal marriage bill and on April 2, 2024, the Senate meeting There was a resolution to accept the principles of the first session of the equal marriage law and there was a resolution to set up a special committee to consider and study the draft law. If Thailand has an equal marriage law, it will help expand marriage rights to cover people of all genders so that they can marry legally and support diverse gender groups to receive equal benefits and welfare as male couples. female And Thailand will become the 37th nation in the world and the first in ASEAN to have equal marriage laws. The passage of Thailand's equal marriage law In addition to helping raise the level of gender equality in Thailand It also brings economic benefits. Especially service businesses in various fields. From a study by the research institute The William Institute in the United States, it was found that after the United States Enforcement of equal marriage laws across the country between 2015 and 2019 helped stimulate the economy by US$3.8 billion. (Based on approximately $3.2 billion spent by same-sex couples on weddings Wedding guest travel spending: US$543.8 million and income from wedding tax collection of 244.1 million USD) In ??addition, it will help create employment in related businesses, increasing to 45,000 people. There are many service businesses that will have the opportunity to grow from the equal marriage law, such as Ho tel business and wedding related businesses such as photography studio business Wedding dress rental business Marriage rights will increase the demand for wedding celebrations. Thai wedding planning service company Wonders and Weddings predicts that wedding bookings will increase. LGBTQIA+ wedding bookings will account for 25 percent of total bookings. A wedding is a celebration of an important milestone (milestone) in many people's lives. LGBT people also want to celebrate this important moment. According to IPSOS, a multinational market research and consulting company, 9 percent of Thailand's population identifies as LGBTQIA+. The increasing demand for celebrations has resulted in businesses Hotels and wedding-related businesses have grown significantly. to seize the opportunity from having equal marriage laws Thailand should push to become a center for weddings for all genders in Asia. Due to readiness in the legal field Excellence in organizing events and related service businesses in Thailand and having a variety of tourist attractions both natural culture and history It is ideal as a location for weddings and honeymoons. This will help generate a lot of income for Thailand. However, if Thailand's equal marriage law covers allowing foreigners to register their marriages. The government sector must consider facilitating marriage registration. Especially regarding visa documents and processing time. and supporting service businesses involved in organizing weddings to have standards and quality To create a good impression and experience for foreign couples. To help promote Thailand as a popular destination for LGBTQIA+ couples around the world to get married. Travel and restaurant business Having equal marriage laws will help attract specific groups of tourists. Especially the LGBTQIA+ group when traveling to Thailand, which is a friendly travel destination. Data from the World Travel and Tourism Council indicate that the proportion of LGBTQIA+ tourists represents 10 percent of tourists worldwide. And the tra vel expenses of this group of tourists account for 16 percent of the total travel expenses. or approximately 195 billion US dollars per year. This group of tourists is considered to be tourists with high purchasing power. like to travel Experience a variety of experiences. Therefore, having supportive laws and a friendly social environment will show acceptance and respect for the LGBTQIA+ group. As a result, this group of tourists will feel safe and be more interested in traveling in Thailand. Insurance business and financial business It is another service business that will grow even more. Marriage equality laws have supported gay couples to have the right to take care of their lives as partners. The right to manage the property of a spouse Having legal representation and being able to inherit from your spouse allows LGBTQIA+ couples to get life insurance for each other and be beneficiaries. or create stability as a family, such as borrowing money to buy a house together Joint ownership of property Being ce rtified by the government will help build trust in the insurance and financial services industries more easily. As a result, such businesses are likely to grow from the need for insurance or creating a family or business with a couple. There is also an opportunity for growth in other niche businesses, such as counseling and family planning businesses for mixed-gender couples. Businesses related to entertainment and recreation Especially the Y series which generates a lot of income for Thailand and can also include culture Thai products and services are very good. Make Thailand known in the world market Including the opportunity to host the world-class festival World Pride, which will create a good image of Thailand at the international level and generate enormous income in Thailand's tourism and related service businesses. This equal marriage law will play an important role in generating economic income for Thailand. and has an additional role in pushing the Thai economy, especially the service sector, to g row to its full potential. The LGBTQIA+ consumer group is a potential consumer group with high purchasing power. Thailand can use this opportunity to develop the Thai service sector to target different target groups. and enhance the competitiveness of the Thai service sector through the LGBTQIA+ consumer market.-514- Source: Thai News Agency

UOB recommends investment diversification to overcome the impact of the conflict between Iran and Israel. Invest in multiple assets and good quality debt instruments. Mr. Gidon Jerome Kessel, Executive Vice President Deposit and investment management products for consumer banking, UOB Bank Thailand, stated that from the conflict in the Middle East where there have been attacks between Iran-Israel Investors should be more cautious in investing. And it is expected that the market will remain volatile in the short term. The impact is higher oil prices due to the risk of oil supply disruptions from the Middle East. If Iran blocks the Strait of Hormuz It could cause damage of 21 million barrels per day, or about 21% of global consumption. Uncertainty makes investors look for safe assets. It is a supporting factor for gold prices. US Government Bonds (UST) and the US Dollar (USD) 'A sharp increase in oil prices could affect inflation and delay interest rate cuts. However, risk aversion is likely to be short-live d. And market confidence is expected to become stable again. If the conflict does not escalate Recommendations: Review your investment portfolio. To consider the risk of investing in risky assets that are too concentrated or not. Focus on achieving your long-term financial goals by building a strong investment portfolio. Through the Core Investment group of assets, diversifying investments across multiple assets. (Multi-Asset) with investments in a variety of assets, regions, and industries. to reduce the volatility of investment portfolios,' said the Assistant Managing Director of UOB Thailand. In this regard, you should consider debt funds and good quality debt instruments (Investment Grade) that will help create stability for your investment portfolio during market fluctuations. Debt instruments also have attractive rates of return and opportunities for price profits. If the central bank starts cutting interest rates at the end of this year and investors who can accept the risk Consider investing in globa l healthcare, Asia excluding Japan, and ASEAN. You can gradually accumulate investments in quality growth stocks and dividend stocks during periods of market decline. Recently, UOB opened the Wealth feature in UOB TMRW to help investors buy-sell-switch mutual funds more conveniently and quickly. Can manage wealth via mobile phone Open from 23 April 2024 onwards, investors will have direct access to foreign funds. Makes it possible to invest directly in foreign currency mutual funds from 14 well-known fund management companies .-511 Source: Thai News Agency

SET closed this morning at 1,347.10 points, an increase of 15.02 points (+1.13%), trading value approximately 22,917 million baht. Morning stock trading The index rose to a high of 1,348.64 points and a low of 1,339.92 points. - Source: Thai News Agency