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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Talk not tariffs: ASEAN plays it cool as trade war heats up
As Washington rattles the tariff sabre, ASEAN isn’t taking the bait, instead doubling down on diplomacy and pledging to keep trade ties intact with the US, its second-biggest partner. ASEAN has made it crystal clear: it’s sticking with multilateralism and won’t retaliate against US tariff hikes. That’s the message from Commerce Minister Pichai Naripthaphan after a special virtual summit of…
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Thai and mighty: Exports soar to 3-year high despite tariff troubles
Thai exports are firing on all cylinders, with shipments rocketing to their highest level in three years, defying fears over punishing US tariffs and giving the economy a hefty shot in the arm. Thai exports surged for the ninth straight month in March, jumping 17.8% year-on-year to a record-breaking US$29.5 billion, or around 1 trillion baht, according to the Commerce Ministry.…
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Thailand’s war on cyber fraud gets a major upgrade
Thailand is beefing up its fight against online scams in a big way — and it’s coming for the fraudsters faster than ever. The Ministry of Digital Economy and Society (DES) is set to transform its Anti-Online Scam Operation Centre into a fully-fledged department, following the implementation of a powerful new emergency decree that came into effect on April 13.…
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Chinese tourists favour Vietnam over Thailand amid rising costs
Thailand has fallen behind Vietnam as the most-visited Southeast Asian destination for Chinese tourists in the first quarter. The Association of Thai Travel Agents (ATTA) subsequently urged the government to lower travel costs, which are currently 30% higher than Vietnam’s, and enhance Thailand’s appeal with new attractions. The Tourism and Sports Ministry recorded 1.3 million Chinese visitors to Thailand during…
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Baht to the future! Kucoin crashes into Thailand’s crypto scene
Thailand’s red-hot cryptocurrency scene is bracing for a fresh wave of competition as ERX Company Ltd teams up with global crypto giant KuCoin, unveiling a bold rebrand and a brand-new exchange platform. From April 22, the newly christened KuCoin Thailand will go live, offering a full suite of digital tokens and crypto products. KuCoin, headquartered in the Seychelles, is one…
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Miss Universe strips Thai beauty pageant of title after controversy
Thailand’s beauty pageant scene has been rocked by a shocking decision from the Miss Universe Organisation, which has officially stripped Suchata “Opal” Chuangsri of her third runner-up title following her participation in the Miss World Thailand event. The controversy began when Opal appeared at a business announcement for the Miss World 2025 competition, violating her contract by participating in another…
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Foodpanda to bow out of Thailand next month
Foodpanda announced it will cease operations in Thailand, with the delivery giant confirming that its services will end on May 23. The shocking decision marks the end of an era for the popular food delivery platform, which has served millions of Thai customers since its launch. In a statement released today, April 23, via their official fan page, Foodpanda Thailand…
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Thailand urges stores to keep pork prices stable amid shortage
The Department of Internal Trade (DIT) urges retail and wholesale stores to maintain stable pork prices despite recent supply-driven increases. Wittayakorn Maneenetr, DIT Director General, stated that consultations with the Department of Livestock Development and the Swine Raisers Association of Thailand have highlighted a reduced availability of pigs. Approximately 60,000 pigs are supplied daily, sufficient for domestic needs. The recent…
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Watts the problem? Energy chiefs say green shift won’t shock you
Energy chiefs have poured cold water on claims that Thailand’s push for more renewable power will leave households with shocking bills, insisting the green move will actually save billions in the long run. Claims that new power purchase agreements (PPAs) under the government’s 5.2-gigawatt renewable energy scheme would send electricity bills soaring have been firmly rejected by top energy officials.…
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Storm brewing! Nestlé goes full bean ahead in Thai coffee clash
Swiss food giant Nestlé is stirring the pot in Thailand’s coffee scene, vowing to go head-to-head with the powerful Mahagitsiri clan as it brews plans for its own production plant, all while riding out a bitter legal spat. Nestlé is digging in its heels amid a fiery legal feud with the Mahagitsiri family, pushing ahead with ambitions to establish its…
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Thai rice exports drop 30% as Vietnam overtakes in global market
Thai rice exports have seen a significant 30% decline in the first quarter, raising concerns as Vietnam overtakes Thailand to become the world’s second-largest rice exporter. Chookiat Ophaswongse, honorary president of the Thai Rice Exporters Association, reported that during the first quarter this year, Thailand exported 2.1 million tonnes of milled rice, a drop from the same period last year.…
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Solar flare-up! US tariffs scorch Thai imports in fiery trade row
A blistering tariff bombshell from Washington has lit a fire under Southeast Asia’s solar imports, with Thailand among the hardest hit, as the United States slaps sky-high duties of up to 3,521% on imports, claiming unfair competition from Asian suppliers. The US has launched a full-scale trade crackdown on solar imports from Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Cambodia, slapping colossal new…
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Byte me: Thai online sellers plug into AI revolution to boost cash
Thailand’s e-commerce scene is getting a high-tech makeover as local sellers turn to artificial intelligence (AI) to outsmart the competition and rake in more baht. But while the potential is massive, a new report reveals most sellers still feel left in the digital dust. Thailand’s online shopkeepers are waking up to the AI boom but many say they’re still struggling…
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Chiang Mai hotels thrive during Songkran with strategic pricing
Hotels in Chiang Mai experienced a strong performance during the Songkran holiday, despite offering lower room rates compared to the previous year. The pricing strategy was aimed at attracting last-minute domestic travellers, whose confidence was affected by last month’s earthquake. Paisarn Sukjarean, President of the Thai Hotels Association’s upper northern chapter, indicated that many Thais remained unsettled by the earthquake…
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Bank of Thailand seeks new governor as Sethaput’s term ends
The Ministry of Finance has initiated the process to select a new governor for the Bank of Thailand (BoT), as Sethaput Suthiwartnarueput’s five-year term concludes on September 30. A selection committee, led by former Finance Permanent Secretary Sathit Limpongpan, will soon convene to establish candidate requirements and the application timeline, according to ministry spokesperson Pornchai Thiraveja. Under Thai law, the…
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License to bill: Thailand gives green light to trio of virtual banks
Thailand’s financial future is getting a digital upgrade, with three new virtual banks set to get the green light by June 19, the Finance Ministry has confirmed. In a bold move to modernise banking and boost financial inclusion, the Bank of Thailand has already shortlisted three candidates from a pool of five heavyweight consortiums. The final list of approved operators…
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Baht to the future: Thai currency eyes 33 mark as dollar dives
The Thai baht is flexing its muscles on the global stage, with experts predicting it may surge past the symbolic 33-per-dollar mark in the second quarter, fuelled by trade tensions, a faltering US economy, and sky-high gold prices. According to Kasikorn Research Center (K-Research), the baht has climbed to a six-month high, riding the wave of a weakening US dollar…
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Nestlé fights Thai court ban on Nescafé in bitter legal row
Thailand’s coffee kingpin is caught in a legal grind, and your morning cup of Nescafé could be at risk. Nestlé, the global food and beverage giant behind the iconic brand, is fighting back after a Thai court slapped a temporary ban on the production, sale, and importation of Nescafé products in the country. The high-stakes case pits Nestlé against its…
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Thailand boosts green industry with World Bank project
Efforts are underway to enhance carbon data management in Thailand’s industry to boost investment in the Map Ta Phut sandbox, a collaborative project between the World Bank and the Industrial Estate Authority of Thailand (IEAT). This initiative aims to reduce carbon dioxide emissions and support factory operators in Rayong’s Map Ta Phut Industrial Estate in transitioning to businesses based on…
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Thai and mighty! Thailand leapfrogs Malaysia in global rankings
Thailand may have outpaced Malaysia in a key global competitiveness ranking for the first time in a decade but experts warn the shine may not last as structural issues, budget cuts, and a lack of long-term vision continue to hold the kingdom back. Thailand has climbed to second place in Southeast Asia in the IMD World Competitiveness Centre’s global rankings,…
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Thailand’s flower power: a splash of life and tradition
Thailand’s a place that grabs you—steamy air, spicy street food, and then there’s the flowers. Walk through any market, and you’ll see orchids spilling over tables, lotus buds bobbing in water, jasmine tucked into garlands. They’re not just there to look nice; they’re part of what makes Thailand tick. I’ve watched vendors weave them into offerings and kids hawk them…
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Byte-sized bounce: Thai digital sector plugs back into confidence
Thailand’s digital sector has shown signs of life, climbing out of the red and back into confidence territory this year, thanks to artificial intelligence (AI) hype, economic boosters, and a softer policy rate. But insiders warn the rebound could short-circuit if skills shortages and wage hikes aren’t tackled fast. The Digital Economy Promotion Agency (DEPA) revealed that its Digital Industry…
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IMF urges Thailand to give baht-up households a helping hand
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has warned Thailand to boost protections for struggling families or risk keeping millions trapped in a cycle of crushing debt, much of it borrowed just to put food on the table. In a hard-hitting Country Focus report released on April 9, the global financial watchdog highlighted that more than half of Thai workers lack formal…
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Thailand urged to address rising zero-dollar exports from China
Thailand’s economy is being short-changed by a flood of so-called “zero-dollar” investments and exports from China, with experts warning the government must clamp down, or risk a new wave of growth that benefits everyone but the Thais. Amonthep Chawla, chief economist at CIMB Thai Bank’s Economic Centre, said America’s latest tariff moves, both those aimed broadly and those specifically targeting…
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Gambling legality in Thailand
Thailand’s tourism industry has been going through a bit of a renaissance, with visitors flocking from all over Europe, America, and Asia. Many come to experience the authentic Thai culture, see the incredible sights, and learn something more about the country’s fascinating history. Many of the visitors, however, are gambling fans, who’d like to play a hand or two. But,…
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Nestlé challenges Thai court ban on Nescafé production
Nestlé has expressed concern for small business owners following a court order prohibiting the production and sale of Nescafé in Thailand. The company is preparing to file an appeal after Chalermchai Mahagitsiri, a shareholder in Quality Coffee Products Co., Ltd. (QCP), sought a temporary injunction. Yesterday, April 9, a report detailed that Chalermchai initiated legal proceedings at the Min Buri…
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Fizzy drink giants face sugar tax squeeze as sweet crackdown kicks in
Thailand’s fizzy favourites are feeling the pinch as a new sugar tax kicks in, forcing beverage makers to cut the sweet stuff or cough up more cash. Beverage chiefs and sweet drink producers have been slapped with a sour surprise as the Finance Ministry rolls out the latest phase of Thailand’s sugar tax crackdown, pushing firms to trim the sugar…
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Malaysians motor ahead as Chinese tourism hits a speed bump
Thailand’s tourism chiefs are shifting gears after a drop in Chinese arrivals put the brakes on what was expected to be a bumper Songkran season while Malaysians continue to flood in. The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) revealed a surprise twist in the tourist traffic, with Chinese visitor numbers dipping just as their southern neighbours from Malaysia come roaring in.…
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Thai stock market tumbles amid US tariff concerns
The Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) today experienced a significant drop in share prices amid concerns over a potential trade war following tariff increases by the US government. The SET Index fell by 42.30 points or 3.76%, reaching 1,082.91 shortly after opening. The Thai market resumed trading after a three-day break, while other global markets were unsettled yesterday, April 7,…
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Watt’s next: Thailand powers up for electric vehicle revolution
Thailand’s government is committed to transforming the nation into an electric vehicle (EV) manufacturing hub, with a policy focused on stimulating demand to encourage consumer adoption. Deputy Finance Minister Paopoom Rojanasakul emphasised the importance of building a domestic EV supply to meet this demand. The government has shifted from internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicle production to an EV focus through…
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