Economy News

Thailand economy news, business updates, financial markets, and government policies—stay informed on economic developments shaping the nation. Get the latest from The Thaiger, your trusted source for Thailand economic news.

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    Where to travel in Thailand in August [2025]

    There’s no better way to experience Thailand than through its cuisine. In the rainy season, flavours bloom alongside the landscape, steam rises from market pots, the snap of chilli echoes through alleyways, and rain makes every bite more vivid. “I...

  • Thai car market hits speed bump, FTI urges govt to drive recovery | Thaiger

    Thai car market hits speed bump, FTI urges govt to drive recovery

    The Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) is urging a turbocharged response from the government to rev up the nation’s sputtering car market. Demand for motors has hit a roadblock, with a particular skid in pickup truck sales. According to January’s numbers, it’s been a bumpy ride, causing manufacturers to slam the brakes on production by more than 200,000 units over…

  • Who qualifies for 2025 Thailand welfare cards? | Thaiger

    Who qualifies for 2025 Thailand welfare cards?

    Thailand will open registration for a new round of state welfare cards next month, aimed at supporting low-income people and vulnerable groups. It has been two years since the last registration round, from September 5 to October 31, 2022. This time, the government is gearing up to help even more people in need, with a financial aid package of 1,545…

  • Rice and fall: Thailand faces grain pains as India lifts export limits | Thaiger

    Rice and fall: Thailand faces grain pains as India lifts export limits

    Thailand’s rice market, once riding high, now faces a shaky season as Indian export restrictions relax, threatening to steal the spotlight and curb the kingdom’s grain gains. After a bumper year, it seems that the golden grains might lose their sparkle, casting a shadow on Thailand’s export figures. Despite a slight boost in Thai rice production, set to rise by…

  • Thai farmers demand rise in rice price to 10,000 baht per tonne | Thaiger

    Thai farmers demand rise in rice price to 10,000 baht per tonne

    Farmers congregated at Government House in Bangkok, yesterday, February 19, urging the government to increase rice prices from the current 6,000 baht to 10,000 baht per tonne. Farmers from various provinces, including Sukhothai, Phitsanulok, and Suphan Buri, sought meetings with the prime minister, the agriculture minister, or the commerce minister to discuss solutions to declining rice prices. Deputy Commerce Minister…

  • Thai durians remain China’s top choice amid safety upgrades | Thaiger

    Thai durians remain China’s top choice amid safety upgrades

    The Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives has expressed confidence that Thai durians will continue to be the preferred choice in China, following enhancements to food safety and contamination screenings. Minister Narumon Pinyosinwat, after her recent visit to China, reported discussions with Sun Meijun, Minister of the General Administration of Customs of China, concerning Thai fruit imports. Thailand is the leading…

  • Thailand’s economic growth hits a snag but hope remains | Thaiger

    Thailand’s economic growth hits a snag but hope remains

    Thailand’s financial fortunes took a slight dip as the latest economic figures failed to meet the lofty heights analysts had anticipated. Official data reveals a respectable 3.2% growth in the last quarter of 2024 compared to the previous year, which, while promising, didn’t quite hit the 3.9% growth mark predicted by a Reuters poll of analysts. The National Economic and…

  • Valentine’s rose prices in Chai Nat hit two-decade high | Thaiger

    Valentine’s rose prices in Chai Nat hit two-decade high

    In Chai Nat, the demand for roses during Valentine’s Day has led to a significant increase in retail prices, reaching a two-decade high, according to local vendors. Rose sales have surged in anticipation of Valentine’s Day, resulting in higher prices at the Chai Nat municipal market. Prices nearly doubled overnight, rising from 10 to 15 baht per flower yesterday, February…

  • Pattaya transforms Lan Pho Naklua into modern seafood market | Thaiger

    Pattaya transforms Lan Pho Naklua into modern seafood market

    Pattaya officials conducted an inspection of the nearly completed renovation at Lan Pho Naklua, which is being transformed into a modern seafood market. Pattaya Deputy Mayor Wuttisak Ruemkijakarn visited the site on Tuesday, February 11, to assess the progress of this transformation. He was accompanied by local government officials, relevant agencies, and residents. Wuttisak explained that the renovation aims to…

  • Ex-alcohol chief toasts potential gains from lifting drink sales ban | Thaiger

    Ex-alcohol chief toasts potential gains from lifting drink sales ban

    Former chairperson of the Alcohol Beverage Business Association recently discussed the potential economic benefits of lifting the ban on alcohol sales from 2pm to 5pm as well as on religious holidays. The move aligns with Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra’s directive to review regulations that hinder economic stimulation and contradict tourism promotion policies. Thanakorn Kuptajit highlighted that revisiting these restrictions, including the…

  • Trump’s metal meltdown: Steel yourself for the latest tariff tiff | Thaiger

    Trump’s metal meltdown: Steel yourself for the latest tariff tiff

    Donald Trump announced his intention to impose a steep 25% tariff on all steel and aluminium imports into the United States, a move that promises to heat up trade tensions and could potentially throw a spanner in the works for America’s key trading relationships. Chatting with reporters aboard Air Force One yesterday, February 9, the US president confirmed that these…

  • Digital wallet scheme’s third phase to start in second quarter | Thaiger

    Digital wallet scheme’s third phase to start in second quarter

    The third phase of the 10,000 baht digital wallet distribution initiative is set to start in the second quarter of the year, according to Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira. Pichai, who also serves as the Deputy Prime Minister, mentioned that the system for fund distribution is undergoing testing this month and is expected to be fully operational in time for the…

  • Thaksin tasked with cryptocurrency proposal by Malaysian PM | Thaiger

    Thaksin tasked with cryptocurrency proposal by Malaysian PM

    Thaksin Shinawatra has been tasked with proposing and recommending that ASEAN consider adopting a cryptocurrency. He will undertake this role as a personal adviser to Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, who currently chairs ASEAN. Former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin was given this responsibility by the ASEAN chair due to his interest in cryptocurrencies. He emphasised the importance of the regional…

  • Thailand leads ASEAN dairy market with 19 billion baht in revenue | Thaiger

    Thailand leads ASEAN dairy market with 19 billion baht in revenue

    Thailand has emerged as a leader in the ASEAN dairy market, generating over 19 billion baht in revenue, according to a government spokesperson. The country’s strategic use of Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) has bolstered exports of processed milk products across ASEAN. Anukool Pruksanusak, deputy spokesperson for the Prime Minister’s Office, reported that Thailand has maintained its top position in ASEAN…

  • Pattaya offers free Thai massages: Free job training | Thaiger

    Pattaya offers free Thai massages: Free job training

    Pattaya residents and visitors can now enjoy free Thai massages and foot reflexology, thanks to a city initiative aimed at boosting employment and tackling poverty. Mayor Poramet Ngampichet recently visited a Thai massage and foot massage training programme, where participants were honing their skills as part of their certification process. Organised by the Social Welfare Office, the initiative aligns with…

  • US tariffs could flood Thai market with cheap Chinese goods | Thaiger

    US tariffs could flood Thai market with cheap Chinese goods

    Thailand may soon be swamped with an influx of cheap Chinese imports if the United States slaps high tariffs on Chinese goods, warns former Deputy Prime Minister Surakiart Sathirathai. The country must brace itself for economic turbulence, or risk being caught off guard. Speaking at the Chula Thailand Presidents Summit 2025 at Chulalongkorn University, Surakiart cautioned that if the US tightens trade…

  • Gem of a deal: Bangkok fair set to sparkle with 3.5 billion baht in trade | Thaiger

    Gem of a deal: Bangkok fair set to sparkle with 3.5 billion baht in trade

    Organisers of the 71st Bangkok Gems & Jewelry Fair expect the event to generate over 3.5 billion baht in trade. Scheduled for February 22 to 26 at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre (QSNCC), the fair is hosted by the Department of International Trade Promotion (DITP) and the Gem and Jewellery Institute of Thailand, with support from various public and…

  • Chinese New Year spending in Thailand hits 51 billion baht | Thaiger

    Chinese New Year spending in Thailand hits 51 billion baht

    Public expenditure during the Chinese New Year is projected to reach 51.78 billion baht, marking the highest level in five years, according to recent government estimates. Sasikan Wattanachan, deputy government spokesperson, noted that this figure signifies a 4.5% rise compared to the previous year. It is also the first occasion since the Covid-19 pandemic that spending for Chinese New Year…

  • No promises on 400 baht minumum wage: Labour chief | Thaiger

    No promises on 400 baht minumum wage: Labour chief

    The long-awaited nationwide implementation of the 400-baht daily minimum wage remains uncertain, according to Labour Permanent Secretary Boonsong Thapchaiyuth. While some major tourism provinces like Phuket and Chon Buri began offering the increased rate from January 1, Boonsong admitted there is no guarantee the wage hike will extend to all provinces anytime soon. Speaking during the first meeting of the…

  • Singapore and Thailand mark 60 years of diplomatic ties | Thaiger

    Singapore and Thailand mark 60 years of diplomatic ties

    Singapore and Thailand celebrate the 60th anniversary of their diplomatic relations this year. To honour this milestone, the Singaporean Embassy has unveiled a logo, which emerged as the winner of a competition held last year in collaboration with the foreign ministries of both nations and the Royal Thai Embassy in Singapore. During the logo launch event at Siam Paragon, Catherine…

  • Thailand and Yokohama strengthen Bangkok Port collaboration | Thaiger

    Thailand and Yokohama strengthen Bangkok Port collaboration

    The Port Authority of Thailand (PAT) and the City of Yokohama in Japan have formalised a letter of intent to enhance their port operations and infrastructure on the 10th anniversary of their partnership. Deputy Prime Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit highlighted that this agreement will bolster cooperation in port development and infrastructure, with a focus on Bangkok Port. The collaboration aims to…

  • Thailand bets big on casino boom under entertainment banner | Thaiger

    Thailand bets big on casino boom under entertainment banner

    In a daring move set to shake up the Land of Smiles, the Government of Thailand is pushing forward with a controversial plan to legalise casinos, sneakily packaged as entertainment complexes. This bold move comes hot on the heels of outspoken former premier Thaksin Shinawatra’s call to legalise online gambling, promising a windfall of tax revenue. Now, the Digital Economy…

  • PTT Plc shifts gears: Oil giant explores new horizons | Thaiger

    PTT Plc shifts gears: Oil giant explores new horizons

    PTT Plc, Thailand’s oil and gas giant, is re-evaluating its tactics in the logistics sector, contemplating a shift away from its traditional petroleum roots. The national conglomerate is investigating fresh investment avenues in non-oil sectors, aiming to revamp its business footprint in the rapidly advancing world of logistics. Leading the charge is Chaya Chandavasu, PTT Senior Executive Vice-President for Corporate…

  • Thailand banks on foreign investment to power economic surge | Thaiger

    Thailand banks on foreign investment to power economic surge

    Bangkok Bank remains bullish on a surge in foreign direct investment (FDI) into Thailand, anticipating it will turbocharge the nation’s economy in the coming years despite global uncertainties. At the 2025 ASEAN Business Forum helmed by the bank last Thursday, Bangkok Bank President Chartsiri Sophonpanich unveiled striking figures: Thailand’s investment applications soared by 35% in 2024, hitting a decade peak…

  • Population decline: Thailand’s birth rate hits 75-year low | Thaiger

    Population decline: Thailand’s birth rate hits 75-year low

    Mahidol University highlighted a significant demographic issue as Thailand recorded fewer than 500,000 births in a year for the first time in 75 years. In 2024, the country registered only 462,240 births, a marked decrease from 519,000 in 2023. Associate Professor Chalermpol Chamchan from Mahidol’s Institute for Population and Social Research noted that this is the fourth consecutive year where…

  • Israel to open 13,000 agriculture jobs for Thai workers | Thaiger

    Israel to open 13,000 agriculture jobs for Thai workers

    Some 13,000 jobs in the agriculture sector are set to be made available for Thai workers, as announced by Israeli Agriculture and Rural Development Minister Avi Dichter. In recent discussions held in Jerusalem, senior Thai officials, including Labour Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn and Department of Employment Director General Somchai Morakotsriwan, met with Dichter. The Thai delegation visited Beit Hilkia Moshav on…

  • Thai cinema reels in the big bucks, outshining Hollywood | Thaiger

    Thai cinema reels in the big bucks, outshining Hollywood

    Eight Thai films surpassed 100 million baht in revenue in 2024, capturing a 54% share of the domestic market, surpassing Hollywood films. Surachet Asavarueng-Anan, Chief Executive Officer of M STUDIO, a film production and distribution company in Thailand and abroad, announced yesterday, January 15, that the Thai film industry achieved significant success last year. The industry’s market share exceeded that…

  • Thai tax tangle: Expats warned of new rules on overseas income | Thaiger

    Thai tax tangle: Expats warned of new rules on overseas income

    A packed meeting of the Pattaya City Expat Club turned into a lively debate as members received crucial updates on Thailand’s controversial new tax policy regarding overseas income transfers. Hosted by Thomas Carden, director of American International Tax Advisers, and tax attorney Patcha Inkudanonda, the session offered clarity, and raised fresh concerns, about the Thai Revenue Department’s evolving guidelines. Patcha…

  • Second phase of 10,000 baht handout for elderly starts January 27 | Thaiger

    Second phase of 10,000 baht handout for elderly starts January 27

    Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira announced that the second phase of the government’s 10,000 baht cash handout will start on January 27, two days earlier than initially planned. This phase will target approximately 3.5 to 4 million elderly citizens aged 60 and above, who will receive the funds through the government’s PromptPay app. The economic stimulus programme was originally designed to…

  • Chulalongkorn University announces the ‘Future of Jobs 2025’ | Thaiger

    Chulalongkorn University announces the ‘Future of Jobs 2025’

    Chulalongkorn University President, Professor Doctor Wilert Puriwat, announced the findings from the Future of Jobs 2025 report. Chulalongkorn University is the only partner institution in Thailand to collaborate with the World Economic Forum (WEF) to propose a roadmap for coping with changes in the labour market over the 2025 to 2030 period. The report is based on a survey of…

  • Thailand bets on man-made marvels for tourism cash boost | Thaiger

    Thailand bets on man-made marvels for tourism cash boost

    According to insiders at Krungthai Compass, man-made hotspots, from sports hubs to spectacular events, are set to propel Thailand to the brink of a tourism revolution thanks to a bold new strategy. Thailand is banking on an artificial allure to supercharge its tourism engine, with Krungthai Compass, a top research centre under Krungthai Bank, revealing that new, man-made tourist attractions…