Business News
Thailand business news, market trends, foreign investment, and economic updates—stay informed on stock market movements, entrepreneurship, and key developments shaping the economy. Get the latest from The Thaiger, your trusted source for business news in Thailand.
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Sponsored How to reduce out-of-pocket medical expenses in Thailand?
Managing medical expenses in Thailand is important as healthcare costs continue to rise. The country’s healthcare system includes both public and private options, but even with the Universal Coverage Scheme (UCS) for citizens, many still face high out-of-pocket medical expenses....
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Thailand’s new gambling bill: What it could mean for the country
The conversation around legalising gambling in Thailand has been simmering for years. Now, it’s starting to reach crunch time. On March 27, cabinet members approved the highly debated Entertainment Complex Bill. It could pave the way for casino resorts to operate legally across the country. For a nation where gambling has been mostly outlawed for decades, this bill could represent…
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Thai food fight: Restaurant industry left starving as spending drops 40%
Thailand’s restaurant industry is in turmoil, with purchasing power dropping by over 40% in the first quarter of 2025, according to Thanivarn Kulmongkol, President of the Thai Restaurant Association. The sluggish economic recovery and stagnant incomes have left consumers tightening their belts, opting for savings rather than spending, especially ahead of major festivals like Songkran. This downturn is affecting all…
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Why Thai casinos are embracing Bitcoin: trends and insights
Crypto casinos, in general, and Bitcoin casinos, in particular, have drawn considerable attention in the past few years. However, in many countries, there exists a blanket ban on casinos or gambling. Thailand is one such country where gambling is largely illegal and is allowed in a restrictive manner. In Thailand, gambling was allowed only for horse races and those offered…
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Trump’s tariff threat stalls Thai car exports
Thailand’s car manufacturers are hitting the brakes on production as US President Donald Trump’s looming auto tariffs send shockwaves through global trade. On March 24, Trump signalled his intent to slap fresh levies on imported vehicles, set to kick in from April 2, leaving Thailand’s key trading partners hesitant to place orders—especially for petrol-powered cars, said Surapong Paisitpatanapong, Vice-Chairman of…
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Thai delegation aims for 7.3 billion baht rice deal in South Africa
The Commerce Ministry of Thailand has dispatched a delegation to South Africa to promote Thai rice, aiming to finalise a major export deal valued at approximately 7.3 billion baht. Commerce Minister Pichai Naripthaphan assigned Worawong Ramangkura, Assistant Minister of Commerce, to lead a delegation from March 24 to March 30, including representatives from the Thai Rice Exporters Association, General Mill…
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Thai stock index jumps as gold hits record high amid Fed rate plans
In a striking turn for the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET), the index surged for the third consecutive day, momentarily cracking the 1,200-point mark yesterday, as gold prices soared to record highs. This rally followed the Federal Reserve’s decision to maintain interest rates at 4.25-4.50%, as anticipated. Rakpong Charoenpong, Senior Vice President at KGI Securities (Thailand), attributed the buoyant market…
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Blooming brilliant: Thailand rakes in billions from orchid exports
Thailand has once again proven its floral dominance, exporting over 5 billion baht worth of orchids in the last two years alone. With demand for Thai orchids flourishing across the globe, the country has cemented its status as the world’s leading exporter of these beautiful blooms. According to the Department of Business Development (DBD), Thai exports of decorative plants from…
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Tesla leads in Thai EV market with top satisfaction scores
According to a recent survey by NielsenIQ Thailand, Tesla has emerged as the dominant force in Thailand’s electric vehicle (EV) market, with the highest satisfaction score of 890. The result comes from the Electric Vehicle Ownership Satisfaction (EVOSS) study, which measures consumer satisfaction with battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs). Manenatta Jirasevijinda, Senior Director of Automotive…
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Digital boom: Thailand’s tech economy set for electrifying growth
Thailand’s digital economy is poised to skyrocket this year, with GDP expected to rise by a staggering 7.3% to hit 4.85 trillion baht, according to the Digital Economy and Society (DES) Ministry. This digital surge far exceeds the national GDP growth rate, sitting at 2.8%, totalling 19.2 trillion baht. Digital investment is also on a meteoric rise, predicted to grow…
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Credit crunch: Thai economy faces stormy skies
The Bank of Thailand (BoT) is sounding the alarm over slipping asset quality among wealthier borrowers, echoing a worrying trend seen in middle- and low-income groups as the Thai economy slows to a crawl. Minutes from the recent Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting reveal mounting concerns about loan quality deteriorating across the board. This could lead banks to become even…
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MG shifts gears as Thai pickup production hits the brakes amid slowdown
SAIC Motor-CP has hit the brakes on its Thai pickup truck production. The pause by the Chinese-Thai collaboration producing MG vehicles, comes as the domestic car market takes a downturn, although there’s hope for a reboot once conditions steady. While MG Sales (Thailand) hasn’t disclosed specific production figures for diesel pickups, company Vice-President Pongsak Lertruedeewattanavong reassures consumers. “Pickups aren’t our…
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High hopes: Thai pilots poised to reclaim skies amid foreign pilot row
The Thai Pilots Association (TPA) is quietly optimistic about reclaiming the nation’s skies. Following reassurances from the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT), it’s anticipated that the temporary lift allowing foreign pilots on domestic routes will not stretch on, revealed TPA President Teerawat Angkasakulkiat. “The Cabinet’s resolution, with its vague deadlines, allowed each wet lease agreement to endure for six…
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Thailand Post boosts fruit delivery with EMS service
Thailand Post is offering an EMS express delivery service for summer fruits to support farmers and entrepreneurs across the country. Thailand Post Managing Director Danan Suphattrapan stated that the service aims to meet the diverse needs of consumers and businesses, particularly by assisting agricultural producers in distributing their products more efficiently to the market. The EMS express service boasts an…
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Baht boost: Thailand greenlights 200 billion for Bangkok transit line
Thailand has sanctioned investment applications amounting to a total of 200 billion baht, spearheaded by a Bangkok transit line and three data centres, offering a potential uplift to the country’s subdued economic growth. The primary initiative is Bangkok Expressway and Metro Plc’s 109 billion baht (US$3.2 billion) investment in the Orange Line, aimed at connecting Bangkok’s western and eastern suburbs,…
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Thailand halves visa-free stay to curb illegal business activities
Thailand plans to shorten the visa-free stay period from 60 to 30 days to mitigate the misuse of the visa exemption programme by illegal businesses. This decision follows a principle agreement among relevant government officials, as reported by the Tourism and Sports Ministry. Tourism and Sports Minister Sorawong Thienthong indicated that the Foreign Ministry has acknowledged the issue, which has…
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Building your trading foundation with the best forex brokers
Building a solid base in forex trading starts by choosing the best broker. An ideal broker provides access to the forex market, gives you the essential trading tools, and ensures a secure trading environment. To help you make the correct decision, we’ve compiled a list of some of the best forex brokers that are accessible in Thailand in 2025. 1.…
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Thailand charges ahead with tax breaks for hybrid vehicles
Tax incentives for the manufacturing of plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEVs) in Thailand are being proposed, with implementation anticipated from 2026 pending approval, as announced by Deputy Finance Minister Paopoom Rojanasakul. The proposal, which aims to link tax rates to a vehicle’s battery charge travel range, will be presented to the Cabinet by April. To boost PHEV adoption, the government is…
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Stock shock! Thai stocks on the ropes, long-term prospects shine
Amidst a whirlwind of disappointing earnings, political jitters, and the looming shadow of US tariffs, Thai stocks are feeling the heat. Yet, analysts at Tisco Securities reckon there’s gold to be found for those willing to play the long game. Apichart Phubancherdkul, Tisco’s strategy sage, voiced concerns that the Thai economy, struggling under the weight of dwindling consumption and a…
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China crisis or Golden Week wonder? Tourism hopes take flight in May
In the midst of a 12% year-on-year plunge in Chinese tourist numbers during the first two months of the year, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is holding its breath for a revival come May, perfectly timed with China’s Labour Day holiday. TAT Deputy Governor Pattaraanong Na Chiangmai, handling international marketing across Asia and the South Pacific, highlighted that safety…
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Thai car exports threatened by Trump’s 25% US tariff plan
The Thai automotive industry faces potential challenges if US President Donald Trump proceeds with his plan to impose tariffs on car imports, according to the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI). Last month, Trump revealed plans to implement a 25% tariff on autos starting April 2, though tariffs on imports from Canada and Mexico have been delayed for a month following…
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How the new Entertainment Complex Law is likely to affect you once passed
Thailand is on the brink of a significant transformation in its entertainment and tourism sectors with the introduction of the Entertainment Complex Business Act. This proposed legislation aims to legalise and regulate integrated entertainment complexes, including casinos such as those that regard themselves as the best casinos not on GamStop, to boost tourism, attract foreign investment, and stimulate economic growth.…
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BTS Thailand outlines key leadership succession planning strategies
BTS Thailand recently hosted the event Honoring Henrik Ekelund: Leadership, Legacy, and Succession Planning. As part of BTS GROUP AB, a global consultancy headquartered in Stockholm, Sweden, BTS Thailand specialises in leadership development and business transformation through experiential learning and simulations. The event brought together C-suite, top executives, various industry leaders, and experts to share insights on the future of…
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Lufthansa sets sights on Thailand as expansion takes off
The Lufthansa Group is focusing on expanding its operations in Asia and Thailand, while also diversifying into non-airline businesses. Carsten Spohr, chief executive of the group, highlighted that Thailand is not just a tourism hub but also a lucrative business destination. The demand for cargo from Thailand is rising, and the Asia-Pacific region is the fastest-growing market for maintenance, repair,…
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Thai interest rate cuts to ease loan load amid economic slowdown
In a move that promises relief for borrowers across Thailand, six leading commercial banks and a clutch of state-owned counterparts have slashed lending rates following the Bank of Thailand’s recent policy rate cut. This adjustment is designed to alleviate the financial strain as the economy slows down. Domestic systemically important banks (D-SIBs) are joining forces to trim loan interest rates…
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Trading places: Thai export boom hides ticking trade bomb
Amidst the cheers of soaring export numbers, the Thai National Shippers’ Council (TNSC) fired a warning shot, urging Thailand to shift its focus towards resolving trade imbalances on a country-by-country basis. TNSC chairman Chaichan Charoensuk warned that the ongoing trade war resembles a ticking time bomb for exporters, with an explosion expected in the second quarter. The council predicts a…
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DHL delivers electrifying future for Thailand: Charges up EV plans
In a daring move set to shake up the logistics scene, renowned global courier DHL has unveiled its ambitious Strategy 2030 for Thailand with a zesty focus on the booming electric vehicle (EV) sector, spare parts service, and cross-border e-commerce. The master plan is poised to transform Thailand into a pivotal regional hub amidst the swirling challenges of global trade,…
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Bangkok condo illegally rented daily, reveals weak law enforcement
Residents and the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) have raised concerns over a condominium in Sukhumvit 11, developed by a company listed on the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET), where half of the 450 units are allegedly rented out daily through online platforms, highlighting weak law enforcement in Thailand. A foreign resident and unit owner at the condominium disclosed that more…
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Thai exporters urge government to speed up US trade talks
The private sector has called on the government to expedite trade negotiations with US President Donald Trump and to incorporate private sector input into these discussions. The Thai National Shippers’ Council (TNSC) highlighted concerns that delays could adversely impact exports. Chaichan Charoensuk, the TNSC chairman, noted the lack of significant progress in preparing for potential US-imposed measures aimed at reducing…
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Boom to bust: Chinese investment in Thai property hits rock bottom
Once a beacon of opportunity, Thailand’s vibrant condo market for Chinese investors is now dimming, as economic clouds gather over China’s middle class. Stephen Yao, a former Chinese investments broker in Bangkok, and Pattaya, has seen his formerly bustling schedule dwindle. In 2017 and 2018, he made a staggering 32 trips from China’s Guangdong province to Thailand. But recent years…
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Thailand tightens foreign business laws to curb nominee practices
Thailand has several laws regulating the entry and activities of foreigners, as detailed by Auramon Supthaweethum, Director General of the Department of Business Development (DBD). The Immigration Law permits temporary residence, and the Alien Employment Act allows temporary employment, subject to permits and exceptions for banned occupations. The Foreign Business Act of 1999 restricts certain businesses to protect Thai interests,…
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