Decade-old rice auction result postponed for another week

12 Sept 01:00 Key points summarised by AI

The official announcement of the 15,000-tonne decade-old rice auction outcome is postponed for one week.
Commerce Minister Phumtham Wechayachai ordered an investigation into V8 Intertrading, the highest bidder, to verify its background and rule out government nomination.
Concerns emerged regarding V8 Intertrading's questionable financial status, including its recent 2020 registration with only two million baht capital and accumulated debts.
Despite being personally satisfied with V8's 19.07 baht/kg bid, the minister prioritizes full transparency and clearing all doubts before officially announcing the result.
Should the deal with V8 Intertrading fail, the Public Warehouse Organisation (PWO) will invite the next highest bidder for negotiations.

Thailand secures US$200m World Bank loan for clean energy and low carbon cities

Yesterday 09:24 Key points summarised by AI

Thailand secured a US$200 million loan from the World Bank to significantly invest in clean energy and low-carbon urban development initiatives.
The program aims to drive clean energy funding and low-carbon growth, ensuring a just transition for small and medium-sized enterprises, workers, farmers, and local communities.
Channelled through the Export-Import Bank of Thailand, the loan will fund energy efficiency upgrades in public buildings and industrial areas, including rooftop solar installations and electrical system modernizations, reducing initial capital burdens via Energy Service Companies (ESCOs).