Some more lumpy economic news for Thialand as the focus is on the monthly customs clearances to provide a compass for the country’s economy.

Customs-cleared exports dropped in August 4% compared to the same month a year earlier. Exports unexpectedly rose in July, according to the commerce ministry today.

The decline in August has shown itself to be greater than a Reuters poll forecast of a 2% fall in exports and shipments, the main driver of the Thai economy, and this compared with an increase of 4.28% in July.

Back in May, when there was a plunge of 5.8% in the exports, the Ministry said…

“The Commerce Ministry says in their report today that the contraction is mostly influenced by global factors including ongoing trade tensions between US and China and tighter global financial conditions, and specific factors of each country and region, political uncertainty in the EU and the unresolved Brexit in the UK.”

We guess their response on the August figures will be much the same. Read that story HERE.

PHOTO: ThaiVisa

From today, an amendment to the Land Transport Act means traffic police can no longer confiscate driving licences.

Police can still record the details of a driver’s licence but must then return it. The new system will also remove the risk of licences being lost while in the care of the police, as has happened in the past. Tickets for those who break traffic laws will be issued through the post.

Speaking to Thai news website TNA, a member of the traffic police says the new law will “lessen conflict between the police and the public”, adding that there had been “misunderstandings” in the past over interpretation of traffic laws, not helped by social media users suggesting ways of getting around the law.

From today, drivers can also display their licence on the DLT QR Licence app, if not carrying it when stopped. However, the app only works with Thai licences, meaning tourists and others without a Thai licence will still need to have their licence on them when driving.

TNA reports that the number of outstanding fines for traffic offences is an issue that needs to be addressed, with only 20% of 13 million fines issued having been paid.

A system connecting the police to the Department of Land Transport (DLT) is expected to be up and running by October, meaning drivers who don’t pay their fines won’t be able to renew their road tax, thereby making it illegal for their vehicles to be on the road.

SOURCE: ThaiVisa and TNA

PHOTO: Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit, Party leader of Future Forward Party – AFP

Future Forward secretary-general Piyabutr Saengkanokkul says the Opposition will consider the option of holding another parliamentary debate over the next 3 months.

His statement comes after what was  generally considered an unsatisfactory response from the PM and other cabinet members during Wednesday’s debate.

Piyabutr is not ready to let the matter go, claiming the PM’s performance sets a bad precedent for future Thai leaders when it comes to respecting the oath recital requirement.

He adds that he’s not satisfied with the lack of clarity from Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngarm during this week’s debate, accusing him of being deliberately unclear by saying the issue of the oath-taking was a matter between the cabinet and the Monarchy.

For his part, Wissanu says he’s happy with how the debate went, but refused to discuss the Opposition’s threats of legal action against him and the PM, nor would he be drawn on the accusation of involving the monarchy in the oath debacle, which was levelled at him by opposition chief whip Suthin Klangsaeng.

SOURCE: Thai PBS World