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 Is private health insurance in Thailand worth it? Real costs vs risks explained
Thailand has a strong healthcare system with both public and private options. Public hospitals offer affordable care, but many people, including expats, choose private health insurance for faster service, modern facilities, and more treatment choices. To decide if private health...
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Business Buzz: Don’t forget the database
PHUKET: Almost every business these days has at least some form of website and social media presence. What still amazes me, though, is how few are creating a database – which is actually their biggest asset. Simple Marketing 101 suggests you need potential customers to make a sale. And the easiest way to get potential customers is to create a…
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Finance: Continuing education
PHUKET: I have always been a big fan of education. It was instilled in me by my father from the time I was young and saw all of my friends leaving education early for the allure of a quick paycheck. Obviously, the short-sightedness of that only becomes apparent in hindsight, but I don’t think it is ever too late to…
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Charter rejection boosts economy
PHUKET: The rejection of the draft charter by the National Reform Council with a vote of 135-105 last week, along with measures to spur the economy worth a combined 136 billion baht, should overall have a positive affect on consumption, investment, and tourism, while also boosting internal economic activity, said Dr Anusorn Tamajai, dean of Rangsit University’s Faculty of Economics.…
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Making life easier with HeadsUp
PHUKET: A young Phuket man is giving the world a ‘HeadsUp’ with a new application he helped to create, which is aimed at simplifying everyday life. Robert Conner, who is a former British International School of Phuket student, helped develop an app called ‘Hey! HeadsUp’ with his college friends Abhijay Bhatnagar and Arjun Bhatnagar. The app allows you to schedule…
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Finance: Yuan’s potential impact on stocks
PHUKET: China has fired a barrage in the ongoing global currency wars with its first devaluation in two decades in hopes of propping up its export-driven economy and reducing its politically dangerous loss of manufacturing jobs. Despite the dramatic headlines, what’s looking like a mere two per cent devaluation is unlikely to trigger a bear market in the global stock…
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Arrivals increase as room rates slide
PHUKET: While it’s encouraging that passenger arrivals at the island’s airport jumped by 11% during the first half (H1) of this year, compared to the same period last year, the flip side shows that hotels in all tiers tumbled with average room rates plunging from US$175 in H1 2014 to US$154, Bill Barnett, managing director of C9 Hotelworks said in…
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Charter rejection, stimulus package to boost economy
PHUKET: The rejection of the draft charter by the National Reform Council with a vote of 135-105 last Sunday, along with measures to spur the economy worth a combined 136 billion baht, should overall have a positive effect on consumption, investment, and tourism, while also boosting internal economic activity, says Dr Anusorn Tamajai, dean of Rangsit University’s Faculty of Economics.…
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Business Buzz: Five tips for content creation for your business
PHUKET: The first priority in marketing through social media is to decide what you want to achieve. Is it for people to find out about a new service; to get them to visit your Facebook page; to educate them on something unknown; to be funny; or to shock with facts; or just to create brand awareness? Also think about where…
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Finance: Cut to chase: advice or pitch
PHUKET: How do you know if the financial advice you are receiving is solid, or if it is a sales pitch in disguise? The first line of due diligence you should always employ is to check the educational background of the advisor. Ask where they did their financial studies and then verify with the institution that they do have the…
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Business Buzz: Your business needs social media
PHUKET: These days you hear that every business should have a social media presence, but why is this the case? This week, we explore the main reasons why social media is so important and, if done correctly, what benefits it brings to your business. BRANDING & EXPOSURE To launch a company, create a brand name and even just to be…
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Finance: Greece’s economy not too big to fail
PHUKET: As the Greek crisis continues to rattle financial markets and the euro, investors need to understand that Greece being in default is actually business as usual for the country when you look more closely at its history: Greece’s first default occurred during the fourth century BC when around a dozen Greek city-states borrowed from the Temple of Delos at…
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Bill to slash cheap package tours, arrival numbers to be unaffected
PHUKET: The plan by Cabinet to put an end to cheap tour group packages arriving in Thailand will not have a significant affect on the industry in Phuket, says Santi Pawai, Director of the Phuket office of the Ministry of Tourism and Sport (MOTS). “I’ve heard about the draft bill, but have yet to receive any official notification. I believe…
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Business Buzz: Consistency is the key
PHUKET: One of the most frequent comments I receive from unsuccessful people is that they believe social media does not work and is all hype and myth. It is interesting that so many say this, especially when successful users swear that without social media their business would be dead. So to help the doubters, here are points that have probably…
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Boat Lagoon prepared for community boom (video)
PHUKET: Boat Arcade will continue to focus on children’s activities and their needs in the second phase of the project, following the recent completion of the first phase, where the area has been developed as the ‘East Coast Edutainment and Family Center,’ confirmed Kanittha Prasopsirikul, managing director of ‘By Kanittha’ Company and Boat Arcade’s public relations representative. The marketing strategy…
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Business Buzz: Better profits via social media
PHUKET: When trying to increase profitability it is best to ascertain a company’s sales funnel, break it down into a process map and then analyze each of the sales procedures to see where the good and bad results are, as this will help in working out the changes needed to increase revenue in each area. Even a small tweak improving…
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Finance: Time to reinvest in bank stocks, ETFs
PHUKET: Bond yield curves have grown steeper and this means it is a good time to take a closer look at investing in bank stocks or bank ETFs, but risk-adverse investors will still need to be selective when choosing what to invest in. STEEPER CURVES ARE GOOD FOR BANKS To begin with some investing basics, short-term interest rates are set…
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Finance: Cash in on divergence with some dumb luck
PHUKET: ‘Divergence markets’ are a very interesting topic at the moment with the recent trading action in China. From a technical perspective, the action has been fascinating because the NASDAQ continued to make new highs during the first big leg down in China. This is what is called ‘divergence’, when major markets that have been mainly flowing in tandem for…
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Video Report: Boat Arcade to open next month
PHUKET: With a lot of activities for children and their doting parents, the brand new Boat Arcade, branding itself as the ‘East Coast Edutainment & Family Center’, expects to be a smash hit when it opens its doors next month. The two-storey, high-street style shopping, dining and edutainment complex is dedicated to the island’s international community. Located at the Boat…
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Cruising through “Green Season’
PHUKET: Phuket has been recognized as a world-class cruising destination for many years, with the majority of sailors visiting during the ‘high’ season months. This period is noted for its favorable weather that keep the skies clear, cruising grounds sheltered and beaches packed. However, it is the ‘green season’, from June to October, that is becoming a popular alternative, offering…
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Business Buzz: The benefits of websites
PHUKET: Almost every business has a website now, but what are the real reasons for having one and are people using them effectively? When I ask many business owners, they often reply that they need one because everyone else has one. But do most people really understand the reasons a website is so important and how they can add real…
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Business Buzz: Social media automation brings success on a platter
PHUKET: Is your business taking advantage of social media automation? These days, it is easy to get overwhelmed by the number of different applications and platforms that we can choose from on social media. Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Google+, Pinterest, YouTube and Instagram are some of the most commonly known sites, but have you heard of SnapChat, Reddit, Quick-R, Flickr, Picasa,…
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Finance: Providing the best in the business
PHUKET: Following on from my article about the Millennium fund, I am writing this week about some Wall Street legendary fund managers that you can now access with relatively small allocation in a portfolio. Belmont has made its main business out of selecting the absolutely best managers in the world and offering access to them at reduced minimums. While the…
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Kata Group prepares for stock market listing, expansion
PHUKET: Hospitality company Kata Group Resorts is readying to embark on a major new phase of expansion following the appointment of renowned financial consultants Asset Pro Management (APM) Co Ltd. APM will prepare Kata Group Resorts, owner and operator of six resorts in Southern Thailand, for a listing on the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) after the hospitality company’s business…
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Dermatology stakes claim in Thai medical tourism industry
PHUKET: Dermatology is staking its claim in Thailand’s developing medical-tourism sector, a growth which is due in part to an increasing number of highly qualified dermatologists, state-of-the-art treatments and affordable services. Romrawin Clinic, with two of its branches located in Phuket, has taken advantage of the demand for dermatological procedures and is now at the forefront of the business with…
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Finance: Rising interest rates won’t kill REITs
PHUKET: Many investors looking for yields and exposure to real estate have piled into Real Estate Income Trusts (REITs) despite the prevailing investment wisdom being any eventual rise in interest rates will be a disaster for the sector. After all, REITs rely heavily on borrowing to acquire real estate with interest payments on this debt usually being their biggest expense.…
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Finance: Millennium in a league of its own
PHUKET: I have been asked quite a few times by my readers for some of my advice that I actually follow myself, since I often tend to focus in my articles on warnings to stay away from certain asset classes or at least temper exposure to them. With that in mind, I have chosen to write about a few funds…
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Business Buzz: Peer into the phones of others with Periscope
PHUKET: Welcome to Periscope, the latest craze to hit the online world. Periscope is an addition to the Twitter stable, with huge information sharing possibilities. This is an app that allows you to ‘discover the world through somebody else’s eyes’. Users can download it and then choose from a multitude of people and experiences that they want to be a…
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Heritage tourism on Phuket
PHUKET: While Phuket has become a leading mass tourism destination and Thailand’s second market after Bangkok, travel specialists and local businesses are digging deep into the island’s rich culture and history to satisfy a growing demand from high-end visitors seeking immersive experiences on the island. The local Baba culture provides one such source of inspiration for those wanting to venture…
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English-language seminar on Thai capital market, financial products on Sunday
PHUKET: The Association of Thai Securities Companies (ASCO) will be shooting to give Thais and foreigners greater clarity about Thai capital market and Thai financial products during a seminar on July 5 at the Phuket Royal City Hotel. Those attending will be broken up into three groups, with the seminar being held in Thai for two groups and English for…
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Finance: Before bidding: Take stock of eBay stock
PHUKET: While you are probably familiar with eBay as a great place for deals on everything imaginable, you might not be familiar with the large cap internet auction stock as an investment. However, there are some compelling reasons why investors should be taking a closer look at the stock right now. For starters, and at the end of last September,…
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