Ukraine fallout worries Cabinet
The government is expected to introduce economic measures to mitigate the fallout from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine – especially its impact on global energy prices – after a Cabinet meeting that was scheduled for late Tuesday (Mar 1). Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha called a meeting with his deputies and relevant agencies to discuss the ongoing developments in Ukraine, as tensions continue to escalate, government spokesman Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana said on Monday. The crisis, he said, will undoubtedly have an impact on the economy, which will range from higher oil prices to volatilities in the equity and cryptocurrency markets. “Thailand’s economy will be hurt if the crisis drags on,” he said. Deputy Prime Minister and Energy Minister Supattanapong Punmeechaow said the government is closely monitoring the situation. Although Thailand’s energy imports are not directly affected by the crisis, he said the government will boost the nation’s fuel stocks to minimise the conflict’s impact on the public. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister Don Pramudwinai said Gen Prayut has instructed agencies concerned to prepare measures to cushion any potential impact from the Ukraine crisis. “The price of energy, the stock market, currency exchange, trade and investments are among issues the prime minister touched on and urged authorities concerned to make comprehensive plans in case [the crisis] escalates further,” he said. Don also said the government welcomed the news that Ukraine and Russia have agreed to hold talks, before adding Thailand will provide humanitarian assistance to those affected by the conflict. “International politics is complicated and we can’t take it at face value. We hope that the international community will cooperate seriously to resolve this conflict and have it contained,” Don said. Deputy Prime Minister and Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said the prime minister had instructed all agencies to be prepared to discuss the Ukraine-Russia crisis on Tuesday. He said while Thailand can largely depend on itself when it comes to consumer goods, the crisis may still affect the export sector, as payments will be difficult to make when the sanctions kick in. Finance Minister Arkhom Termpittayapaisith said the ministry will hold talks with the Bank of Thailand about potential impacts the Ukraine crisis will have on the country’s economy. He said the talks will also focus on the US and its key allies’ decision to remove some Russian banks from the Swift financial messaging system, essentially barring them from international transactions. “We’re closely monitoring the situation and assessing how it will affect the tourism and exports sectors,” Arkhom said.
EVACUATION UNDERWAY
Separately, the Foreign Affairs Ministry reported on Tuesday that 142 Thais had been evacuated from Ukraine, with 103 already safe in Warsaw, Poland, and 39 in Bucharest, Romania. Others were on their way to the assistance centre set up at Lviv in western Ukraine. The ministry said 38 evacuees would depart from Bucharest on Tuesday and arrive home on Thai Airways
International flight TG923, due at 6:25am on Wednesday. The second group, 58
Thais, would fly from Warsaw on Tuesday and arrive on
Emirates flight EK384, due at 12:05pm on Wednesday. Upon arriving in Thailand, they will be transferred to Sattahip naval base for a oneday quarantine, as all of them have had at least two doses of COVID-19 vaccine, said the Thai ambassador to Poland, Chetthapan Maksampan. Other Thais stranded in Ukraine cities remained safe, and 35 had already left cities including Kyiv for Lviv. They were expected to reach there on Tuesday. Most Thais leaving Ukraine were using trains because travelling by car was risky and very slow because of congestion, the Foreign Ministry said. Any remaining Thais have been told to lay low until the situation on the ground improves.