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 Pre-existing conditions? These expat insurance plans still have you covered
Many expats feel worried that their pre-existing health problems will stop them from getting insurance in a new country. This fear is common, especially when medical care can be expensive. But the good news is, some insurance, like the plans...
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Tough times hit Thai cinema as viewers cut back
Box office blues could be looming for Thai cinemas as cash-strapped moviegoers become pickier about what’s worth their ticket money. That’s the concern from top Thai studio GDH 559 Co Ltd Content Director Thodsapon Thiptinnakorn, who said the sluggish economy is making audiences more selective—possibly reducing their cinema visits from several times a month to just once. “Viewers may think…
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Chinese steel surge pressures Thai manufacturers
China’s continued surge in steel exports is putting growing pressure on Thai steelmakers, according to Tata Steel (Thailand), a subsidiary of India’s largest steel producer. In the first half of this year, China exported 58.2 million tonnes of steel, marking a 9.2% increase from the same period last year. Asia remained the largest recipient of these exports, with Thailand among…
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Trump teases new tariffs on drugs and chips
US President Donald Trump indicated yesterday that new tariffs on imported pharmaceuticals and semiconductors might be announced as early as next week as part of his ongoing efforts to reshape global trade. These comments were made during an interview with CNBC, occurring just days before another set of tariff increases is set to impact several economies later this week. The…
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Grab’s AI translator and big discounts woo Thailand’s expats
Grab Thailand is turning its attention to Thailand’s growing expat population — and it’s rolling out smart features and generous perks to win them over. With more than 5.3 million non-Thai residents now living in Thailand—an 8% jump since 2019—the company has seen delivery orders from expats skyrocket by over 50% in the past 12 months, signalling a major shift…
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Thai Airways shares take off again after 5-year pause
After five years of being grounded, Thai Airways (THAI) shares are finally cleared for takeoff. Trading of the national carrier’s stock will resume on the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) yesterday, August 4, marking a significant milestone in the airline’s dramatic recovery from one of the biggest corporate meltdowns in Thai history. The move follows THAI’s exit from court-supervised debt…
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Thaksin pushes for high EV tax to protect Thailand’s car industry
Could the rise of electric vehicles (EVs) be putting Thailand’s homegrown auto industry at risk? Former PM Thaksin Shinawatra thinks so, and he’s pushing for drastic tax changes to protect local manufacturers from foreign competition. Thaksin has called for a high excise tax to be imposed on imported EVs that contain minimal local content, in a bid to protect Thailand’s…
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Bank of Thailand may cut rates amid US tariff concerns
The Bank of Thailand (BoT) may reduce interest rates multiple times by the end of this year to bolster the economy if US tariffs on Thai goods prove uncompetitive compared to regional counterparts. Head of research for the banking and financial sector at Kasikorn Research Centre, Kanjana Chockpisansin, indicated that the think tank anticipates at least one additional rate cut…
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Trump slashes Thai tariffs to 19% – but is there a catch?
US President Donald Trump has stunned Thailand and the wider ASEAN region by announcing a sharp cut in import tariffs on Thai goods, slashing rates from 36% to 19%. The decision, made public yesterday, July 31, via the former US president’s Truth Social platform, came just hours before an executive order was signed, locking the deal in from today, August…
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Indian weddings could fuel Thai FDI boom
Thailand could soon be cashing in on Indian love stories—with luxury weddings fuelling a fresh wave of foreign investment. HSBC highlighted Indian wedding tourism as a key opportunity to boost foreign direct investment (FDI) into Thailand, pointing to stronger economic links and rising investor confidence between the two countries. During a recent visit to HSBC Thailand, HSBC India CEO Hitendra…
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Thailand considers tax breaks to boost off-peak tourism
The Revenue Department is contemplating tax incentives to boost tourism during the off-peak season, potentially enabling people to deduct travel expenses of up to 15,000 baht from their taxable income. Pinsai Suraswadi, director-general of the department, stated that discussions with the Tourism and Sports Ministry are underway to decide which provinces should be covered by these tax measures. The scope…
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US tariffs on Thailand expected to change in August
US tariffs on Thailand are anticipated to be announced on August 1 or August 2, with the rate expected to change from the current 36%, according to Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira. After achieving an unconditional ceasefire agreement along the Thai-Cambodian border, Pichai stated that negotiations with the US are progressing, with most issues resolved and only a few remaining. He…
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‘Flying Giant’ A380 becomes a costly nightmare for airlines
Two decades after its maiden flight, the Airbus A380 is back in demand as international travel roars back to life post-Covid. But while passengers may love its spacious cabins, airlines are groaning under the weight of its soaring maintenance costs. The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has issued 95 airworthiness directives for the aircraft since 2020, more than double…
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Trump revives US trade talks with Cambodia and Thailand post-ceasefire
US President Donald Trump has directed US officials to restart trade negotiations with Cambodia and Thailand following the countries’ agreement to cease fighting along a contested border. “We have saved thousands of lives by ending this war. I have instructed my trade team to resume negotiations on trade,” Trump announced in a social media post yesterday. He indicated that he…
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Thailand seeks slot waiver amid drop in Chinese tourists
The Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) is in discussions with Chinese officials to obtain a one-year slot waiver in response to decreased Chinese tourist arrivals. ACM Manat Chavanaprayoon, the CAAT director-general, stated that temporary relief from airport slot usage requirements is being sought due to the ongoing weak demand from Chinese travellers. Once Thailand’s primary source market, Chinese tourist…
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Thai govt unleashes 87 billion baht to jolt economy
Thailand’s government is throwing billions at the economy in a high-stakes bid to spark recovery before time runs out. With just two months left in the fiscal year, the Budget Bureau has unleashed 87.36 billion baht to fund 148 urgent economic stimulus projects, according to Deputy Finance Permanent Secretary Theerarak Saengsanit. The hefty injection accounts for 75.72% of the 115…
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Online work and digital freedom in Thailand: your guide to earning in 2025
In recent years, online earning has become not only a trend, but an integral part of the lives of millions of people around the world. Thailand, known for its warm climate and rich culture, is becoming an increasingly attractive destination for freelancers and remote workers. As technology advances and competition in the job market intensifies, more and more people are…
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Oui snack: French salami hits 7-Eleven shelves in Thailand
Get ready to spice up your snack game – French salami is coming to a 7-Eleven near you. Charoen Pokphand Foods (CPF) has just launched two premium cold cut products – Bucher Rosette Salami and Bucher Chorizo Salami – imported directly from France and now available in select Thai 7-Eleven branches starting July 31. The gourmet cold cuts, produced by…
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King Power closes outlets amid cost-cutting drive
Thailand’s duty-free giant King Power is closing three of its downtown branches in a sweeping cost-cutting move that includes a voluntary redundancy programme for staff across the company. The Srivaree, Pattaya, and Mahanakhon locations—once magnets for big-spending tour groups—will cease operations in September. The closures come as the retailer overhauls its business model amid sluggish post-pandemic sales and shifting consumer…
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Nok Air rebounds with freebies and fresh routes
Budget airline Nok Air is soaring back into profitability and promises even bigger things on the horizon—including free flights for foreign tourists. The embattled carrier, once drowning in debt, now expects to complete its rehabilitation programme by mid-2028, with outstanding debt trimmed to under 400 million baht from a staggering 5.4 billion. The airline’s resurgence comes after two consecutive profitable…
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Bank on change! New BoT boss to slash rates, stop baht bounce
Thailand’s incoming central bank governor is being told to hit the ground running, with business chiefs demanding urgent action to cut interest rates, ease borrowing rules and stop the baht getting too strong. Vitai Ratanakorn, head of the Government Savings Bank and set to take over the top job at the Bank of Thailand in October, has been handed a…
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Thailand boosts economy with medical and wellness tourism focus
Thailand is exploring opportunities in the medical and wellness sectors to address domestic economic challenges, characterised by slow growth amid global uncertainties. The nation is focusing on medical and wellness tourism, medical manufacturing, and elderly care solutions to stimulate economic activity, according to Messe Düsseldorf Asia, an international trade organiser. These sectors are anticipated to grow the domestic market by…
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Thailand targets 2.8 trillion baht tourism revenue in 2026
Thailand is chasing a high-stakes travel comeback — and it’s banking on quality over quantity to get there. The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) unveiled its bold vision for 2026: raking in a staggering 2.8 trillion baht in tourism revenue and breaking into the world’s top 10 countries for tourism income. It’s an ambitious leap — a 5% boost from…
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Thai restaurants on the brink as costs soar and diners vanish
Thailand’s once-vibrant restaurant scene is in hot water — and not just in the kitchen. A toxic mix of soaring costs, shrinking foot traffic, and underwhelming tourism has left the Thai food industry on the verge of collapse. Many eateries are bleeding cash, with daily revenue dropping by more than 50%, according to the Thai Restaurant Association. “Restaurant owners are…
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The rise of fintech in Thailand: technology vs traditional banking
Thailand’s financial landscape is undergoing a profound transformation. At the heart of this evolution is the meteoric rise of financial technology (fintech), a sector that disrupts the traditional banking model. And also reshapes consumer behaviour and the competitive landscape. Mobile-first platforms, e-wallets, and digital lending services have become mainstream. And the battle between fintech and traditional banks intensifies. And it…
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Blockchain in Thailand’s entertainment industry
Blockchain has started to transform entertainment markets. Streaming, gaming, and content licensing companies are using it to simplify transactions and protect rights. New platforms now build their payment and advertising systems on blockchain to attract global users and creators. Investors and developers see this trend as a chance to expand services. Many companies now link blockchain tools with advertising networks…
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Strategies to earn money online: what’s changing in 2025
In Thailand’s shifting digital economy, seasoned players now have broader options to earn money online. From content creation and affiliate links to micro-wallet arbitrage, platforms keep expanding rapidly. Platforms like 1xbet Mongolia are tapping into this shift by combining entertainment with earning potential in ways that feel personal and direct. The online sports betting affiliate program mentioned here allows affiliates…
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Mahagitsiri family loses court battle in Nescafé joint venture
The Mahagitsiri family has faced a setback in its legal dispute with Nestlé, as a court has ruled that the original voting rules in their Nescafé joint venture in Thailand must be reinstated. Thailand’s Central Intellectual Property and International Trade Court has annulled a temporary injunction previously sought by the family, thereby reinstating the original voting regulations at Quality Coffee…
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Growth of eSport culture in Thailand
eSports is quickly turning into one of Thailand’s fastest-growing forms of entertainment. Tournaments draw many live viewers and people watching online. The money made from sponsorships, event tickets, and media rights keeps going up each year, helped by partners both in Thailand and from other countries. expansion attracts investors, players, and event organisers. The Thailand E-Sports Federation manages professional standards…
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Shock decision: Electricity bills stay high despite energy dip
Electricity bills in Thailand are set to stay stubbornly high for the rest of the year, despite falling fuel costs, lower demand and a stronger baht. The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) has chosen to freeze the power tariff at 3.98 baht per unit, brushing aside options for a cheaper rate, even as economic conditions hinted at a possible reduction. The…
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Phuket tourism revenue set to rise 10% amid European off-season surge
Phuket is experiencing a notable shift in tourism patterns as European visitors increasingly opt for off-season travel, with tourism revenue anticipated to grow by over 40 billion baht, or approximately 10%, this year, according to the Phuket Tourist Association. The association’s president, Thanet Tantipiriyakit, highlighted a growing interest among tourists from the UK, Germany, and France in visiting Phuket during…
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