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.

  • Work permit, visa proposals get positive response | Thaiger

    Work permit, visa proposals get positive response

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – Thailand news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Work permit, visa proposals get positive response The Nation / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: The Joint Standing Committee on Commerce, Industry and Banking has given an update on its proposals to amend the country’s visa and work-permit regulations, which it says have received a positive response –…

  • Villa Market expansion caters to Phuket yachties [VIDEO] | Thaiger

    Villa Market expansion caters to Phuket yachties [VIDEO]

    Villa hopes to build on its success at the Boat Avenue shopping street. PHUKET: Villa Market is set to slice off another slab of the imported groceries market in Phuket when it expands to Boat Lagoon. The new branch, set to open in early 2015, is designed to tap into the yachtie-catering market and to position itself as the go-to…

  • Don’t let emotions cloud financial judgment | Thaiger

    Don’t let emotions cloud financial judgment

    PHUKET: There are two emotions that tend to cloud our collective judgments and cause major swings in the financial markets: fear and greed. They lead to the ever-repeating cycle of boom and bust and are not likely to disappear anytime soon, so gaining a good understanding of them – as well as how they can affect an investor’s financial decision…

  • Phuket’s first Formula One simulators race into Patong | Thaiger

    Phuket’s first Formula One simulators race into Patong

    PHUKET: Grid Racing Phuket (GR Phuket) will become the first dedicated F1 racing simulator of its kind in Phuket when it opens its doors to the public on October 3. Combining his past experience with simulators, Australian national Paul and his partner “Visa” decided to capitalize on the rising popularity of the racing simulator industry and open their own “race…

  • Lofty relocation at Boat Lagoon | Thaiger

    Lofty relocation at Boat Lagoon

    PHUKET: After 14 years at his original premises overlooking the hard stand at Phuket’s Boat Lagoon in Koh Kaew, Muzza Nordstrand has moved his Canvas Creations to a new loft. “We’re still in the Phuket Boat lagoon, as you drive in from the main road, turn right alongside the football field behind the gas station and you’ll find us in…

  • AMCHAM forum sets course for New Phuket | Thaiger

    AMCHAM forum sets course for New Phuket

    PHUKET: Is Phuket lacking identity? What makes the Phuket brand? How can the island benefit from the current winds of change? These and other issues were addressed at the September 12 AMCHAM forum, titled “The New Phuket”. The latest installment in the AMCHAM seminar series took place at the Angsana Laguna Phuket ballroom and saw a number of speakers, both…

  • Tax havens only for the rich | Thaiger

    Tax havens only for the rich

    PHUKET: The annual report published by tax relocation specialist Bradley Hackford has recently named the top ten jurisdictions for 2014. They use five criteria in total, which include quality of life, security, geographical location and accessibility, as well as the quality of the economic citizenship program. Sadly, for most, the achievable tax savings make the high sticker price of establishing…

  • Phuket’s new high-tech Dibuk Hospital rounds up medical care | Thaiger

    Phuket’s new high-tech Dibuk Hospital rounds up medical care

    PHUKET: Construction has started on the much-hyped circular Apple headquarters in Silicon Valley, California, but Phuket is about to beat the IT giant with the opening of the new high-tech Dibuk Hospital later this month. And yes, it’s round too. Walking around the new hospital building leaves one quite impressed. And walking around gains a whole new meaning in a…

  • Phuket Hotel Association to be the voice of island’s tourism industry | Thaiger

    Phuket Hotel Association to be the voice of island’s tourism industry

    PHUKET: Speakers at the American Chamber of Commerce (AMCHAM) forum yesterday proceeded to create a private enterprise council composed of leaders in the tourism industry in order to develop a single voice and brand identity for Phuket. “[It] all starts with the initiation from us here… People will not listen to just one single person,” said Wichit Na-Ranong, owner and…

  • AMCHAM Forum: Staying ahead of the game in the ‘New Phuket’ | Thaiger

    AMCHAM Forum: Staying ahead of the game in the ‘New Phuket’

    PHUKET: For the last few decades, Phuket has been evolving into a mainstream, mass-market tourist destination. Now the island’s beaches have undergone extreme makeovers and some even more dramatic changes are on the horizon. “In the aftermath of Thailand’s political crisis, which saw martial law and a nationwide curfew imposed in May, Phuket experienced a sharp drop in visitor arrivals.…

  • Qatar Airways to start non-stop services from Doha to Phuket | Thaiger

    Qatar Airways to start non-stop services from Doha to Phuket

    PHUKET: Qatar Airways will boost services to Thailand with the introduction of non-stop flights to Phuket from October 26. The airline currently serves the Doha-Phuket route daily via a linked service through the Malaysian capital Kuala Lumpur. “The start of non-stop services from Doha to Phuket offers travellers from around the world access to the popular tourist destination in a…

  • Dusit Thani Laguna Phuket named one of AsiaRooms.com Top Rated 2014 | Thaiger

    Dusit Thani Laguna Phuket named one of AsiaRooms.com Top Rated 2014

    PHUKET: Dusit Thani Laguna Phuket has been named the “Top Rated 2014” by AsiaRooms.com, the online travel accommodation website. In order to be certified, a hotel must receive an average review score of 80per cent based on five criteria including customer service, cleanliness, quality of rooms, quality of food, family friendliness and value for money. The resort averaged a score…

  • Bioplastics break into local market | Thaiger

    Bioplastics break into local market

    PHUKET: Dairy Home, a leading dairy producer, has agreed to use bioplastics for all of its yoghurt packaging, in a deal struck with NatureWorks Asia Pacific, an affiliate of PTT Global Chemical, marking significant progress in PTTGC’s aspiration to turn Thailand into a hub of the bioplastics industry in Asia. Dairy Home Managing Director Pruitti Kerdchoochuen said he expected other…

  • AirAsia X to fly to Tokyo and Osaka in Japan | Thaiger

    AirAsia X to fly to Tokyo and Osaka in Japan

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – Thailand news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community AirAsia X to fly to Tokyo and Osaka in Japan Phuket Gazette PHUKET: Thai AirAsia X is spreading its wings to Japan to tap both the leisure and business segments using Thailand as its gateway to the Southeast Asia region. CEO Nadda Buranasiri said yesterday that…

  • AMCHAM to host forum discussion about “New Phuket’ | Thaiger

    AMCHAM to host forum discussion about “New Phuket’

    PHUKET: The impact of recent changes throughout Phuket following the coup in May will be the focus of the American Chamber of Commerce (AMCHAM) Thailand forum on September 12. The forum, to be hosted by brand-development company Quo Global’s founder and CEO David Keen, will examine how Thais, expats and foreign tourists are expected to perceive the recent transformation of…

  • Be on the lookout for dubious investments | Thaiger

    Be on the lookout for dubious investments

    PHUKET: Many readers responded to the recent article “Retirement is all about safety first” (story here). Many could relate to the common pitfalls that expats have discovered in Thailand. While investing in a bar or restaurant is typically a losing proposition, at least the foreigner would still have a place to eat and drink. Where things take a really ugly…

  • Swash floods Phuket with all-natural, organic yoghurt [video] | Thaiger

    Swash floods Phuket with all-natural, organic yoghurt [video]

    PHUKET: Based in a small house in Nai Yang, Premchit Prateap Na Thalang has been feeding Phuket all-natural organic yogurt since 2012. Produced under the Swash brand, Ms Premchit and her two employees manage to dole out about 3,000 cups of the healthy snack each week. “My background is that I grew up in the jungle… in Khok Kloi [in…

  • Escape Hunt’s innovative business venture expands to Phuket | Thaiger

    Escape Hunt’s innovative business venture expands to Phuket

    PHUKET: In hopes of further capitalizing on the success of their first venue in Bangkok, Escape Hunt has opened franchises worldwide, including in Phuket, where a venue opened recently in Kathu. Business partners Jasnam Sachathep, Surasit Sachdev and Navin and Dave Anandsongvit quickly realized the business’ potential in Phuket and celebrated their grand opening on August 11, joining the 23…

  • Thai rubber farmers feel ‘betrayed’ by military government | Thaiger

    Thai rubber farmers feel ‘betrayed’ by military government

    PHUKET: Thai rubber farmers who supported anti-government protests that led to a military coup in May say they feel betrayed because the ruling military is failing to help soften the blow of plunging rubber prices. Thailand is the world’s largest rubber producer and exporter, but falling prices and a decision by the military not to extend subsidies risks alienating rubber…

  • Singaporean wine expert leads two day California wine training seminar | Thaiger

    Singaporean wine expert leads two day California wine training seminar

    PHUKET: Times when a waiter in a restaurant could get away with just about any wine recommendation – a white for the fish or a random red to go with meat – are luckily over. These days, customers are more and more knowledgeable and demand an ever-growing level of service. Better trained staff can be the key to success, especially…

  • Are financial markets seasonal? | Thaiger

    Are financial markets seasonal?

    PHUKET: There is a lot of confusion over whether it is possible to time to the markets. If you are speculating, or trading, you rely on technical analysis of some sort and do, in fact, time the market. As an investor on the other hand, you should look at underlying fundamentals and attempt to make a purchase when it represents…

  • MICE: Thailand, Myanmar forge ‘landmark’ cooperation agreement | Thaiger

    MICE: Thailand, Myanmar forge ‘landmark’ cooperation agreement

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – Thailand news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community MICE: Thailand, Myanmar forge ‘landmark’ cooperation agreement Phuket Gazette PHUKET: THE THAILAND Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) is teaming up with Myanmar’s largest business association to hold trade shows and related events in both countries, as Myanmar continues its rapid opening up to international business. The…

  • Pretty Phuket and gorgeous George Town become bosom buddies | Thaiger

    Pretty Phuket and gorgeous George Town become bosom buddies

    PHUKET: Phuket and Penang’s George Town yesterday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the establishment of sister city status. The Royal Thai Consul-General to Penang Srirat Vathesatogkit met with Phuket Governor Maitri Inthusut to discuss signing an MoU with George Town. The Phuket Town mayor, the director of the Phuket Passport Office and the Peranakan Association chairman joined the…

  • Rubber growers bounce back with with tyre factory | Thaiger

    Rubber growers bounce back with with tyre factory

    PHUKET: The Rubber Growers Cooperative Federation of Thailand has proposed establishing its own car tyre factory in a bid to deal with the plunging price of natural rubber. The federation chairman, Perk Lertwangpong, said after his meeting with representatives of rubber planters from the 14 provinces that comprise all of Southern Thailand that the strategy was necessary for their survival,…

  • Chinese tourists receive warm welcome at Phuket International Airport | Thaiger

    Chinese tourists receive warm welcome at Phuket International Airport

    PHUKET: Phuket officials held an impressive welcoming ceremony this weekend for the first wave of Chinese tourists to visit the island under a free, 90-day visa campaign. The campaign, which will be in effect from August 9 to November 8, was launched in the hopes of recovering from a nationwide 30 per cent decrease in inbound travellers from China and…

  • Don’t stick your head in the sand, start investing | Thaiger

    Don’t stick your head in the sand, start investing

    PHUKET: Lately, a lot of the phone calls I’ve been getting are from nervous retirees. They’re nervous for two reasons: One, many of my clients have seen their accounts go up by quite a bit. After all, the US stock market is showing all-time highs. If clients just purchased the ETF of the S&P 500, they’re up 17% in the…

  • Impiana welcomes new general manager and executive chef | Thaiger

    Impiana welcomes new general manager and executive chef

    PHUKET: IMPIANA Resort Phuket recently announced the appointment of its new General Manager for all Thailand based Impiana properties David Xavier and new Executive Chef Christoph Lindner. Malaysian national Mr Xavier comes to Phuket following a tenure as resort manager for Impiana in Chaweng Noi Koh Samui, director of food and beverage at Impiana KLCC and banquet and catering manager…

  • The fire-powered business of barbecues | Thaiger

    The fire-powered business of barbecues

    PHUKET: In Thailand you’re never far from a barbecue. A massive chunk of the ever-present street food is based on grilling different kinds of meat over an open fire. Still, Brad McElroy felt he wanted a barbecue of his own and decided to import one from his home country, the motherland of barbecue – Australia. That was 18 years ago…

  • Visa fees waived, more Chinese visitors expected | Thaiger

    Visa fees waived, more Chinese visitors expected

    PHUKET: Tourism operators serving visitors from Taiwan and mainland China have been advised to prepare for an influx of arrivals during an upcoming 90-day visa-fee exemption. In a bid to revitalize the tourism industry after the political crisis, the National Council for Peace and Order announced that visa fees would be waived for tourists from those markets. “Numerous Chinese from…

  • Ruler of the rubber world | Thaiger

    Ruler of the rubber world

    PHUKET: It started way back in the 16th century when an explorer saw tribal people in Mexico playing games with balls made out of a soft, bouncy material. It took another couple hundred years before anyone actually sat down and took a long, scientifically inquisitive look at what that material was. And its first practical use came in the form…