Thailand’s revised proposal to reduce import tariffs on thousands of US products is likely to be viewed favourably by the US, says finance permanent secretary Lavaron Sangsnit.

The proposed 36% tariff on US imports of Thai products could pile pressure on the manufacturing sector, with workers likely to bear the brunt, says the Employers’ Confederation of Thai Trade and Industry (EconThai).

Airlines report forward bookings for short-haul markets for the remainder of this year are weak, in contrast to the long-haul segment, while some carriers expressed interest in joining the Tourism Authority of Thailand’s (TAT) stimulus campaign.

Thailand is moving ahead quickly with new restrictions on cannabis use, with health officials announcing a plan to transform all cannabis dispensaries into medical clinics with resident doctors and standardised prescriptions.

The Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) index could fall below 1,000 points and the country’s GDP growth to less than 1% if the Thai negotiating team led by Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira cannot convince the US to lower its reciprocal tariff from 36%, analysts said on Tuesday.

The Bhumjaithai Party has accused the governing Pheu Thai Party of lacking sincerity following its decision to remove a bill to promote casinos from parliament.