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 Do foreigners get free healthcare in Thailand?
Thailand’s healthcare system is well-regarded across Southeast Asia, with options ranging from public hospitals to world-class private facilities. But when it comes to foreign residents or tourists, healthcare access isn’t as straightforward. So, do foreigners get free healthcare in Thailand?...
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Banking on change: Kasikornbank unveils shakeup with fresh faces and spin-off plans
Kasikornbank (KBank), Thailand’s second-largest lender by total assets, revealed a significant restructuring of its business operations. This includes the introduction of a new president, co-president, and a spin-off strategy. KBank notified the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) yesterday about the appointment of Chongrak Rattanapian to the position of president and executive director, effective from August 29. Chongrak, with over 20…
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Liquid dreams: Thailand’s Pilatus Marine charts global growth with 1.05 billion baht vessel acquisition
Pilatus Marine, a SET-listed company and Thailand’s leading liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) transport operator, is set to acquire three large used liquid-carrying vessels for a total cost of 1.05 billion baht. This move is aimed at expanding their services overseas. Operating in both marine and land transport of LPG, Pilatus Marine also leases vessels to other companies. The incoming ships,…
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Thai AirAsia targets 40% domestic market share by 2023, plans Japan expansion
Thai AirAsia, a leading low-cost airline, has set a goal to command 40% of the passenger market share domestically by the close of 2023. This comes as the airline intends to introduce two additional routes in Japan in the upcoming year. In a revealing disclosure, Santisuk Klongchaiya, the Chief Executive of Thai AirAsia, mentioned that the airline’s market share in…
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Siriraj Hospital partners with Cariva to bolster Thailand’s medical AI ecosystem
Siriraj Hospital‘s Faculty of Medicine, under Mahidol University, is partnering with local artificial intelligence (AI) start-up, Cariva (Thailand), to utilise AI technology in enhancing medical treatment and developing innovative medical products and services. This collaboration is aimed at solidifying Thailand’s reputation as a medical hub and facilitating the export of AI-driven healthcare innovations to the Asia-Pacific region. Dr Apichat Asavamongkolkul,…
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Phang Nga tourism council proposes new airport to surpass Phuket’s capacity
A proposal for a new airport in Phang Nga, which could potentially surpass Phuket as the south’s aviation hub, will be presented to the new prime minister by tourism operators in the Andaman provinces. The president of the Tourism Council of Phang Nga, Pongsakorn Ketprapakorn, shared that the new airport’s necessity stems from the rapid growth in tourist demand for…
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GAC to invest 6bn baht in Thai EV and battery factories
Guangzhou Automobile Corporation (GAC), China’s second-largest electric vehicle (EV) seller, is set to invest 6 billion baht in the construction of EV and battery factories in Thailand over the next three to five years. The move will transform the country into a key production and export base for the firm. Ocean Ma, who oversees the company’s subsidiaries, Aion Automobile Manufacturing…
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Pheu Thai leadership welcomed by tourism operators
The Pheu Thai political party’s potential leadership of the Tourism and Sports Ministry has been warmly welcomed by tourism operators. This development arises from growing speculation around the formation of the new Cabinet. Numerous news outlets suggest that the ministry might transition from the Bhumjaithai Party to Pheu Thai. Adith Chairattananon, the honorary secretary-general of the Association of Thai Travel…
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Tech sector recovery drives global stock market surge despite China concerns
Tuesday saw global stock markets rise due to strong tech recovery, despite worries about China’s slow economy and US rate uncertainty. Nvidia’s shares increased by 8.5% on Monday, boosting trading in Asia and Europe. In New York, Nvidia’s shares went up by 2.5% before its second-quarter report today, Wednesday. At the beginning of trading, Nasdaq focused on technology and rose…
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Srettha Thavisin urged to address economic challenges swiftly
Thailand’s political stalemate came to a close yesterday as property tycoon Srettha Thavisin was elected as the country’s 30th prime minister following a majority vote in both houses of Parliament. Now, the nation’s business community is urging the newly appointed leader to hasten the process of organising his government. The aim is to promptly address a sequence of pressing challenges…
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Meta Thailand leverages AI for enhanced ROI and growth of reels
In an economic climate that continues to pose challenges, Meta Thailand is leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the return on investment for businesses and advertisers. The company is also concentrating on the development of Reels, their short video clip service that serves as a competitor to TikTok. Prae Dumrongmongcolgul, the country director for Meta in Thailand, said… “We plan…
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Domestic tourism in Thailand hits 93% recovery
Thailand’s domestic tourism sector has seen a significant recovery, reaching 93% of its pre Covid-19 levels, according to the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT). The TAT expects to record approximately 160 million domestic trips in the country this year, a sharp contrast to the dismal figures witnessed at the onset of the pandemic in 2019. At a press conference, Suladda…
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CardX braces for regulatory change raising customer debt repayment 3%
CardX, a credit card service provider operating under SCB X Group, anticipates a potential issue with customer compliance linked to an upcoming regulatory change from the Bank of Thailand. The central bank presently permits credit card users to repay their debt at a minimum rate of 5% of the overall credit balance each month, a measure introduced to aid consumers…
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McKinsey foresees AI technology dominating Thailand’s future
The Thai branch of global consultancy McKinsey & Company predicts that the three most impactful trends for Thailand over the next year will be generative artificial intelligence (AI), immersive technology, and climate technology. The prediction is a part of the company’s 2023 Tech Trends Outlook, which was published in July. Gordon Candelin, senior expert and leader of McKinsey Design Southeast…
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Thailand’s DES Ministry plans legal action against Facebook over scam complicity
Thailand’s Digital Economy and Society (DES) Ministry is preparing a legal case seeking the shutdown of Facebook within the country, accusing the social media giant of collusion with fraudulent operators. The ministry alleges that Facebook has been complicit in aiding scammers, who utilised the platform’s sponsored pages to deceive Thai citizens into making investments. The ministry plans to invoke the…
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Climate change: Thai businesses warned of ‘global boiling,’ rising power costs
The United Nations has warned of the global boiling – the intense rise in temperatures and associated power costs we are seeing now, which are predicted to only worsen in the future. Thailand witnessed an unprecedented rise in electricity bills and an all-time high average temperature in July. This salient shift in weather patterns is leading businesses and governments to consider…
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Thailand sees 17% boost in foreign investment, hitting 58.9 billion baht in 7 months
Thailand saw a 17% increase in foreign investment, reaching 58.9 billion baht in the first seven months of this year. The announcement was made yesterday by Rachada Dhnadirek, the deputy government spokeswoman. Investors from Japan played a major role, with 94 groups contributing 19.89 billion baht. The United States followed with 67 entities investing 3 billion baht. Singapore had 61…
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EV sales in Thailand to hit 50,000 despite auto loan regulations
The Thailand Automotive Institute (TAI) anticipates a surge in electric vehicle (EV) sales to 50,000 units this year. This comes despite challenges such as diminishing purchasing power, rampant household debt, and the implementation of stricter auto loan regulations by banks. Last year, local EV sales in Thailand saw approximately 20,000 units sold. The popularity of EVs in the country can…
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Easyrice transforms Thai rice industry with AI-powered inspection solutions
Emerging from academic research projects, Easyrice Digital Technology Co Ltd has grown into a cutting-edge tech startup focusing on artificial intelligence (AI) within the agricultural sector, specifically tailored towards bettering the rice industry in Thailand. Easyrice provides AI-powered solutions designed to simplify and enhance the systems of rice quality inspections and data management, offering faster, more precise processes. As a…
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Prachinburi print shop overcharges customer, shocking Internet
A disheartening incident unfolded when a woman was charged 500 baht for scanning four documents, at a print shop in the area of Ban Rabao Phai, Sri Maha Pho District, Prachinburi. The shop owner extended his apologies due to a lack of knowledge about appropriate pricing and offered a reimbursement, which the woman declined. Upon scanning the documents, the customer,…
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Bangkok property developers anticipate economic rebound
Bangkok-based property developers on the Stock Exchange of Thailand are optimistic about an economic bounce back in the latter half of the year, expecting it to help meet their annual performance targets after a subdued start to the year. Property Perfect Plc., under the management of Wongsakorn Prasitvipat, is set to launch nine fresh housing ventures in the second half.…
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Former Siam Commercial Bank executive launches 8 million baht shabu restaurant
A passion for the delectable flavours of Japanese shabu dining impelled Thienachariya, the onetime chief marketing strategist for Siam Commercial Bank, to inaugurate his own shabu restaurant at Erawan Bangkok. The restaurant is the brainchild of Thienachariya and a culinary trio of his associates, formed under the banner of their newly established company, Shabudoke Co. The culinary ensemble includes beef…
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Foreign investments bolster Thai economy with 58.9 billion baht boost
From January through July of this year, Thailand welcomed a foreign investment sum of 58.9 billion baht. A notable chunk of this influx originated from Japan, whose companies lavished the largest amount of capital on developing their businesses within Thai borders. Estimates suggest that the Japanese investors led the pack with a total outlay of 19.9 billion baht. They were…
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Thailand’s insurance sector embraces digital revolution to boost resilience and consumer experience
Thailand’s insurance sector is adopting digital tech to tackle artificial intelligence (AI) and cyber threats and deal with the medical costs of the nation’s ageing population. Further steps were taken to boost industry strength and user experience. The strategy is headed by the Office of the Insurance Commission (OIC). Suthiphon Thaveechaiyagarn, the OIC secretary-general, disclosed that the first part of…
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Thai baht instability rises due to political unrest
Political unrest is heightening baht oscillations against the US dollar, as Thailand finds itself without a stable government, the head of the Bank Thailand asserts. This turbulence introduces a greater risk factor amongst investors who are observing the foreign exchange rate, particularly between the baht and the US dollar, in light of Thailand’s current political developments. Post Thailand’s General Election…
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PTTEP issues alert over potential Thai gas production and supply disruption
PTT Exploration and Production Plc (PTTEP) voiced its concern to the energy authorities regarding potential barriers that may impede the continued production of gas in the Gulf of Thailand. The current license to operate in the Pailin gas block is set to end in 2028. The reoccurrence of a disruptive incident similar to the one at the Erawan gas block…
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Map Ta Phut port to see third phase by 2027, IEAT confident
Reports from Thailand indicate that the Industrial Estate Authority of Thailand (IEAT) remains optimistic about presenting the third phase of development of the Map Ta Phut deep-sea port in Rayong by the year 2027. The port, a notable part of ongoing development in the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC), is seen as an essential addition to Thailand’s infrastructure. Map Ta Phut…
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Grab Thailand partners with Alipay, Kakao Pay to appeal to Chinese, Korean tourists
Grab Thailand is entering a strategic alliance with Alipay and Kakao Pay to expand the payment alternatives available to Chinese and South Korean tourists who visit the country, an announcement from the company relayed. As the Thai tourism sector remains buoyant, Grab has identified Chinese tourists as pivotal to its strategy for this year. Worachat Luxkanalode, Country Head of Grab…
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Thailand’s baht leads Asian currency downturn amid China’s economic worry
Asian currencies experienced a downturn yesterday, led by Thailand‘s baht, as concerns heighten surrounding the recovery status of the global economy’s second-largest player, China. The baht plunged by a substantial 0.8%, marking it as the largest depreciation against the US dollar in half a dozen weeks. Across the waters of offshore markets yesterday afternoon, it was changing hands at approximately…
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Goodbye Family Mart, hello Tops: Thailand’s retail favorite gets a fresh aisle
The well-known Family Mart stores, a cornerstone of the local retail landscape for over 30 years, are set to be rebranded as Tops Daily in the heart of Thailand. The decision made by the Central Retail Corporation PLC (CRC) projected completion by the end of this year will bring an end to an era as it follows a decision to…
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Alcohol tax overhaul by Excise Dept planned to close loopholes
The head of the Excise Department announced plans to overhaul the excise tax structure on alcohol and beer, aiming to eliminate existing tax loopholes. Ekniti Nitithanprapas said a formal conversation is ongoing with the private sector to secure an equitable and suitable tax framework. Furthermore, many new beverage entries on the market are technically slipping through the cracks of taxation,…
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