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 one hospital visit in Thailand could cost more than your whole trip
Thailand is a favourite spot for travellers who want to enjoy more while spending less. From cheap street food to low-cost hotels and fun attractions, it’s easy to stretch your budget here. But there’s one thing many people don’t think...
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Red light: Thailand’s car industry caught in hybrid dilemma
Thailand’s car production industry, a powerhouse of the national economy, stands at a pivotal red light crossroads. The decision now looms large: should the focus be on propelling battery electric vehicles (BEVs) into the spotlight, or should there be a concerted effort to guide the internal combustion engine (ICE) sector through a transitional phase towards electric vehicles (EVs)? With the…
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Thaksin’s power tariff cut plan sparks debate on electricity pricing
Thaksin Shinawatra‘s proposal to lower the power tariff from 4.15 to 3.70 baht per kilowatt-hour has ignited a discussion on the future of electricity pricing, which has remained elevated since 2022. The adjustment of tariff rates directly impacts electricity bills, with a reduced tariff leading to lower costs for businesses and households. The former prime minister introduced the tariff reduction…
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Majority ineligible for Thailand’s debt relief programme
A significant number of borrowers have registered for the You Fight, We Help debt relief programme one month after its launch. However, a substantial portion of these applicants do not meet the eligibility criteria, as noted by banking officials. Kris Chantanotoke, Chief Executive of Siam Commercial Bank (SCB), highlighted that some registrants do not qualify for the programme. Consequently, the…
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Thai rice exporter says policy changes are grain-ing momentum
A seasoned Thai rice exporter expressed support for upcoming changes in rice trade policy, anticipated to be enacted later this month, though he highlighted that small businesses still encounter significant obstacles in entering international markets. After the first meeting of the Operational Committee under the 1946 Rice Trading Act (Session 1/2025), Commerce Minister Pichai Naripthaphan announced that the committee had…
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Finding the best brokers in Thailand: key features to check
To invest in Thailand’s financial markets, choosing an ideal broker for a problem-free and successful trading session is a necessity. For both new and experienced investors, a reliable broker with certain specific features can make a significant contribution in your trading session. To make a smart selection, follow these important features to choose among the best brokers in Thailand. 1.…
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Call it off: Thai telecom giants reject merger offers on the line
Shareholders of Thai telecom mobile carriers, Advanced Info Service (AIS) and Thaicom, have been advised to hang up on acquisition offers from their controlling entities. The boards are urging a firm “no” to the merger plans proposed by Gulf Energy Development and Intouch Holdings. Back in July, Gulf Energy, the powerhouse investor behind Thaicom, and Intouch Holdings, which calls the…
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Rising sun eclipses Thailand: Japan now No.1 for Chinese tourists
Japan has dethroned Thailand as the top destination for Chinese tourists in a stunning reversal of fortunes. A remarkable surge in visitors last year sent Thailand scrambling to refocus its tourism strategy across other Asian markets. According to the Japan National Tourism Organisation, Japan welcomed a whopping 6.98 million Chinese tourists in 2024, a staggering 188% increase. Meanwhile, Thailand’s Tourism…
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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…
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Trump card for bitcoin: 2025’s super cycle sparks crypto buzz
Crypto analysts are buzzing with excitement at the prospect of a bitcoin “super cycle” in 2025, as Donald Trump‘s return to the US Presidency brings a pro-crypto windfall. His administration’s staunch support for Bitcoin is injecting new life into the market, with enthusiasts riding high on optimism. Bitcoin recently dipped from its late-2024 peak amid profit-taking and cautious interest rate…
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Tax cuts with a twist: SEZ businesses get a decade of ten-percenters
The Revenue Department is slashing corporate income tax to just 10% for businesses nestled in Thailand’s special economic zones (SEZs) for the next ten years in a stunning financial manoeuvre. The move, designed to inject life into these strategically positioned areas, is set to give them a major boost. Director General Pinsai Suraswadi revealed that this game-changing tax cut received…
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Retail therapy: Tops looks for Lunar New Year discounts, tourists
Central Food Retail Co., (CFR), the powerhouse behind Tops grocery stores, is banking on a flurry of government stimulus and a tourism boom to set tills ringing as the Lunar New Year approaches. Chakkit Chatupanyachotikul, the marketing maestro at CFR, is upbeat about the impact of the government’s Easy E-receipt tax deduction scheme, a nifty initiative running from January 16…
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Driving Thailand’s economy into the high-tech fast lane
In a bid to supercharge Thailand’s sputtering economy, Industry Minister Akanat Promphan is rallying the manufacturing sector to shift gears and embrace high-tech innovation. With aspirations to increase GDP growth by 1% annually, Akanat is touting cutting-edge products as the next big play, given the triple threat of tech disruptions, geopolitical spats, and looming climate change. Since the pandemic, Thailand’s…
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Thailand’s nuclear power plan delayed amid policy uncertainties
Thailand is preparing for the integration of nuclear power technology but the implementation of the new power development plan (PDP) for small modular reactors (SMRs) is experiencing delays. The PDP, effective from 2024 to 2037, has yet to be enforced, involving collaboration between the Energy Regulatory Commission and the Office of Atoms for Peace on nuclear power and electricity management. SMRs,…
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Thailand sees record investment surge, driven by digital sector boom
Investments in Thailand are projected to increase this year, following a 35% rise in investment incentive applications, reaching 1.14 trillion baht (US$32.8 billion) last year. This marks the highest level since 2014, driven by substantial foreign direct investment (FDI) projects in data centres and cloud services, according to the Board of Investment (BoI). For the first time in 2024, the…
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Chinese tourists cancel Thailand trips amid safety concerns
Hotels and airlines are experiencing widespread cancellations from Chinese tour groups ahead of the Chinese New Year holiday, with independent tourist bookings also slowing due to safety concerns in Thailand. Eason Chan, a singer and actor from Hong Kong, cancelled a planned concert in Thailand last week, citing safety concerns for Chinese fans visiting the country. Additionally, Hong Kong’s Security…
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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…
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Taxing tunes: Music giant pitches cut to boost Thailand’s soft power
Thailand’s largest music company made a bold appeal to the government for a corporate tax reduction in the entertainment sector, arguing it could supercharge the industry and bolster the nation’s soft power ambitions. GMM Music Plc CEO Phawit Chitrakorn paints a picture of an industry that thrives on slim profit margins, clocking in at a modest average of 10%. Phawit…
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Central Pattana’s 500 million baht Chinese New Year splash
Central Pattana Plc (CPN) isn’t playing small this Chinese New Year as they, together with Central Department Store Co Ltd (CDS), unleash a mega 500-million-baht spending spree on their dazzling The Great Chinese New Year bash. Running from now until February 6, this vibrant celebration is expected to dazzle at Central malls nationwide, including the ever-busy Esplanade Ratchada. Leading the…
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Fuel for thought: Thailand sees shift in consumer petrol gears
Thailand’s engines are revving as fuel consumption takes a notable 2% leap, in line with the country’s economic growth, which is pegged at a healthy 2.6% to 2.7% for 2024. The Department of Energy Business reveals that from January to November, Thais guzzled an average of 155 million litres of fuel daily. Turning heads in the petrol station queue is…
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Casino kingpins eye Thailand: Melco’s big gamble on Bangkok
Macau gambling giant Melco Resorts & Entertainment is rolling the dice on Thailand, as they devise plans to dive headfirst into the country’s booming tourism scene and cultural tapestry. With whispers of legalised gambling on the horizon, this move could be a jackpot for the casino giants. At the helm, Lawrence Ho, Melco Chairman and CEO, is singing the praises…
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Shipping a car from the US to Thailand: Regulations and costs explained
Shipping a car from the USA to Thailand may sound like a straightforward task, but it can quickly become a maze of regulations, fees, and paperwork that might leave you feeling overwhelmed. Whether you’re relocating or just want to take your favourite vehicle along for the ride, making sure you understand the basics before diving in is crucial. Picture this:…
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Exploring the digital marketing landscape in Thailand: Trends and insights
The world has become a global village, such that business people no longer have to limit themselves to serving the needs of the people close to them. This approach has especially taken over in Thailand, where business people previously relied on traditional marketing. They have since learned that by digitising a business, they not only make their products more accessible…
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Taxing times: Thailand cashes in on digital currency revolution
Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira has committed to comprehensive tax reform aimed at enhancing Thailand’s competitiveness and promoting the use of digital currency by the end of the year. During a seminar organised by the Marketing Association of Thailand, Pichai explained that the ministry’s strategy involves fostering business partnerships through incentives and attractive measures. He emphasised the necessity of revising the…
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Thailand’s household debt reaches 104% of GDP, raising economic concerns
Thailand’s household debt, encompassing informal loans, has risen to 104% of GDP, potentially impacting future economic growth, as revealed by a private sector panel report. Research conducted by Chulalongkorn University for the Joint Standing Committee for Commerce, Industry and Banking (JSCCIB) shows the country’s household debt-to-GDP ratio reached 104% in the fourth quarter of 2024, with informal loans included in…
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Pop Mart makes a splash in Pattaya with new By the Sea store
Global art toy phenomenon Pop Mart is turning heads once again, this time with the grand opening of its brand-new By the Sea store at Central Pattaya Shopping Centre. The quirky, seaside-themed outlet is the latest addition to Pop Mart’s Thai expansion, cementing its position as a major player in the booming collectable art toy market. The move follows Pop…
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Mama mia! Noodle giant stirs up billion-baht expansion plan
Thai President Foods Plc, famed for its beloved Mama instant noodles, is cooking up a major expansion plan worth over 1 billion baht. This bold move aims to ramp up production and expand plant facilities within the year. General Manager Pun Paniangvait unveiled that a hefty 777 million baht will be channelled into domestic enhancements. This budget will power the…
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Gold rush hour: Steady prices spark buyer frenzy in Thailand
Today’s gold prices in Thailand hold steady, sparking a sense of urgency among potential buyers. According to the Gold Traders Association (GTA), gold jewellery is priced at 43,650 baht per baht weight, mirroring closing figures yesterday, January 5. As announced at 9am today, 96.5% pure gold bullion is being bought at 43,050 baht per baht weight and sold at 43,150…
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Thailand’s household debt set to decline faster than expected
The Bank of Thailand is optimistic as the nation’s household debt-to-GDP ratio is projected to fall more swiftly than previously anticipated. This promising outlook is driven by ongoing debt reduction strategies and the introduction of a new debt relief programme. According to the central bank’s latest financial stability report for 2024, there’s a noticeable drop in the household debt-to-GDP ratio,…
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Cost to move from the US to Thailand: A complete expat budget guide
Moving to a new country can be both exciting and overwhelming, especially when you’re transitioning from the USA to Thailand. You might be dreaming of sandy beaches and bustling markets, but before you pack your bags, it’s crucial to understand the costs involved in this big change. From shipping your belongings to planning your travel and finding accommodations, every detail…
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Thailand has a unique approach to casino gaming and entertainment
Thailand, often called the “Land of Smiles,” is famous for its rich culture, stunning landscapes, and bustling cities. However, when it comes to gambling, the country offers a unique twist. “Officially, gambling is heavily restricted in Thailand, with the exception of the national lottery and horse racing” said UK casino JeffBet. While traditional casinos are not legally permitted, the demand…
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