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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The Thaiger key takeaways Foreigners aren’t covered by public healthcare, making private hospital costs a major concern. Insurance offers financial protection and access to better medical care. Whether it’s worth it depends on your stay length, health, lifestyle, and budget....
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Why interactive activities are key in online English classes
Over the last decade, online English classes for kids have evolved from simple video lessons to something far more complex and engaging. Interactive learning experiences are all over the place, and many parents wonder if active participation and gamified experiences are actually preferable to the more classic learning methods. Let’s see what makes interaction a key part of modern online…
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Suvarnabhumi flies high with booming flights and upgrades
Suvarnabhumi Airport has reported a rise in flights and passengers, as officials reveal strong growth and outline expansion plans for the year ahead. The airport has recorded a strong recovery in air travel, with 58.10 million passengers passing through its gates in the first 11 months of fiscal year 2025 (October 2024 to August 2025). Kittipong Kittikachorn, General Manager of…
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Thailand’s border trade plunges 23.6% in August as Cambodia market collapses
Thailand’s border trade dropped 23.6% in August to 63.9 billion baht, with trade with Cambodia almost collapsing, falling 99.9% to just 10 million baht, according to the Department of Foreign Trade (DFT). Arada Fuangtong, director-general of the DFT, said combined border and transit trade in August reached 150.1 billion baht, down 3.1% year-on-year. Exports stood at 75.05 billion baht, while…
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Malaysia strengthens halal economy through digital ecosystem and partnerships
Malaysia has positioned itself as a major force in the global halal economy by building a strong digital halal ecosystem that provides financing, advisory services, and business intelligence to help local SMEs expand abroad. This model, which underpins Malaysia’s success in exporting halal products, is now being adapted to support neighbouring Thailand in strengthening its own halal sector. Malaysia and…
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Thai government pushes capital shake-up to win back investors
Thailand’s new government has unveiled plans to overhaul capital market regulations in a bid to restore investor confidence and boost economic growth. The newly installed administration has pledged to roll out urgent capital market reforms ahead of the next election in a bid to boost investor sentiment and economic momentum. At the centre of the plan is a sweeping regulatory…
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Ex-Thai Airways boss: Ditch all govt shares or risk relapse
A former Thai Airways executive has urged the government to sell its remaining shares, warning that political control could derail the airline’s recovery. Banyong Pongpanich, a former board member of Thai Airways International (THAI), called on the government to sell its remaining shares in the airline, insisting that only full privatisation can protect the company from sliding back into bureaucratic…
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Young Thais drive fashion and beauty boom in local market
A nationwide survey found Thai consumers still favour local food and drink, while younger shoppers are driving growth in beauty and fashion products. The nationwide poll, carried out in August by the Trade Policy and Strategy Office (TPSO), gathered responses from more than 5,400 people across income groups and regions. It found that food and beverages remain the most popular…
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Thai rice steals the show at Australia food expo
Thai rice gained fresh recognition in Australia after a government campaign at a major Sydney food expo drew thousands of visitors and strong consumer interest. The event, held in Sydney from September 8 to 11, attracted more than 2,000 visitors to the Thai booth, where the spotlight was firmly on Hom Mali rice. According to Department of Foreign Trade (DFT)…
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Shopee shatters records with 9.9 shopping spree frenzy
Online shopping platform Shopee celebrated the 10th anniversary of its 9.9 campaign with record-breaking sales, as Thai shoppers placed over 1 million orders within minutes of launch. According to Kongkrit Lawlertratana, head of marketing commercial at Shopee Thailand, shoppers placed over one million orders within just 30 minutes of the campaign launch on September 9. “The 9.9 campaign highlighted the…
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Vietjet to get first Boeing 737 MAX as tariff talks heat up
VietJet Air will receive its first Boeing 737 Max as Vietnam seeks to strengthen trade ties with the US while negotiations over tariffs continue. The handover marks a significant shift for VietJet, which currently operates an all-Airbus fleet, and comes as Vietnam continues delicate trade discussions with the United States over tariffs. A ceremony is scheduled on Sunday, September 21,…
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How to use forecasts in forex news trading
Successful Forex trading entails doing something other than looking at real-time action prices. While forex news does feature prominently in the determination of currency markets, a secret to trading that most forget is that markets move not only on real data, but also on how data is in relation to values that are predicted. Forecasting is core to this, and…
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Thailand’s casino bill could return in 2026 amid political shifts
Thailand’s long-running casino debate refuses to fade away. The cabinet had, earlier this year, given a green light to a draft law to create regulated casino-entertainment complexes, which led to a surge of optimism among investors and tourism operators. But the optimism didn’t last. Opposition from the Bhumjaithai Party, which quit the ruling coalition over the issue, and widespread protests…
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IKEA Thailand cuts prices, targets hotels and SMEs
IKEA Thailand, part of the Swedish home furnishing company, is addressing economic difficulties by reducing prices and launching the IKEA for Business programme. This initiative targets growing demand from hotels, offices, property developers, and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Leonie Hoskin, retail manager for IKEA Thailand and Vietnam, noted that fiscal 2025 (September 2024 to August 2025) was challenging due…
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SCB cuts branches and staff as AI reshapes Thai banking
Siam Commercial Bank (SCB) is restructuring its retail operations in response to rising household debt and the growing dominance of artificial intelligence (AI) in the financial sector. Since May, SCB has reorganised its retail segment into a new consumer banking division, covering branches, retail services, and employees. Chief Executive Kris Chantanotoke said the shift reflects customer preferences and the steady…
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Esports vs traditional sports – what links them and some key differences
Over the past decade, eSports has shifted from niche corners of the internet to the main stage of global entertainment. Many traditional sports continue to hold massive audiences alongside the new era of esports. Put them side by side – the similarities can be surprising, even if the playing fields are very different. There is even the crossover of esports…
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Thailand’s casino bill could be revived in 2026 – success hinges on political coalition
The casino legalisation debate is again going on in Thailand. It is stated that, based on an analysis of a recent legal expert, the stuck in the rut Entertainment Complex Bill can be reintroduced already in 2026. The outstanding consideration is whether the ruling Pheu Thai Party is able to end political instability and form a stable coalition government. This…
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Grab backs Thai co-payment scheme to boost food sector
Food delivery companies have voiced support for a government plan to revive a co-payment scheme aimed at boosting restaurant sales and the wider economy. Industry leaders say the programme, previously credited with boosting small restaurant sales by up to five times, could offer vital relief as the economy slows. Chantsuda Thananitayaudom, managing director of Grab Thailand, confirmed the company’s full…
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Why Thailand’s eSports went mobile first
Thailand’s eSports map flipped faster than a lobby countdown. Once, PC cafés set the meta with MOBA marathons and tactical shooters. Now, queues form on buses and in food courts, where phones run full tournaments and scrims between classes or shifts. The shift wasn’t only about specs. It was about rhythm. Daily life in Bangkok and provincial hubs rewards short,…
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Tourism chiefs demand cash coupons for foreign visitors
Tourism leaders are urging the new minister to launch urgent spending incentives for foreign visitors to boost travel and prepare for the upcoming low season. Ratchaporn Poolsawadee, vice president of the Tourism Council of Thailand, is pushing the new tourism minister to act fast with competitive measures such as travel cash vouchers for international tourists. The proposal mirrors successful programmes…
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Thailand warned clean energy gap could deter data centre boom
Thailand’s digital dreams could stall as investors warn the nation’s patchy clean energy supply risks scaring off billion-baht data centre projects. Thailand risks losing out on major digital economy investments unless it strengthens its clean energy supply, according to Gunkul Engineering, a leading renewable energy developer. Chief executive Naruechon Dhumrongpiyawut said that data centres, artificial intelligence firms, electric vehicles, and…
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Thai Airways anticipates strong fourth quarter with rising demand
Thai Airways (THAI) anticipates a robust fourth quarter, with a load factor exceeding 80%, driven by both international demand and Thai tourists favouring Asian destinations. China and Japan have consistently attracted travellers throughout the year. Kittiphong Sansomboon, THAI Chief Commercial Officer, said that a strong baht and the visa-free programme have increased Thai tourists visiting Asian locations. During peak travel…
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Bangkok hotels face crunch as occupancy rates tumble
Bangkok’s hotel industry is heading into a storm in the second half of this year, with falling occupancy rates, soaring competition and a sharp drop in Chinese arrivals casting a shadow over the capital’s hospitality market. A report by Knight Frank Chartered (Thailand) revealed that average occupancy slipped by 3.7% to 75.1% in the first half of this year, while…
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Thailand eyes VAT hike to boost tax revenue by 600 billion baht
Thailand’s government needs to increase tax revenue by 600 billion baht as current levels lag behind those of comparable economies, according to caretaker Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira. State tax revenue currently represents 15% of GDP, which is three percentage points lower than nations with similar economies. During the Fiscal Policy Office’s annual seminar themed Fiscal Transformation, Pichai noted that the…
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Nok Air ordered to halt international flights over safety
The Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) has directed Nok Air to pause its international flight operations and halt route expansion due to safety concerns. The airline, however, clarified that an issue with an aircraft engine has already been addressed by replacing it. Currently, Nok Air is not conducting international flights due to the low travel season. During peak times,…
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Vietjet turbocharges fleet with new Boeing jets and routes
Budget airline Vietjet Thailand is gearing up for a massive fleet expansion, rolling out new aircraft and routes in a bold bid to challenge rivals and scoop up millions more passengers. Chief Executive Woranate Laprabang confirmed the airline will acquire nine new Boeing 737-8 jets this year, moving towards a full Boeing fleet within five years. The switch will give…
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Trip.com touts AI future at Forbes Thailand forum
Adopting artificial intelligence (AI) and swiftly responding to consumer demand are crucial for success in the evolving travel sector, according to the online travel agent Trip.com. Trip.com Group Vice-President Edison Chen noted that a decade ago, the potential of AI to improve efficiency in customer service and itinerary planning was unforeseen. During his address at Forbes Thailand: The Next Tycoons…
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Hotel wars: Dusit Thani heir vows to block family power grab
Dusit Thani has been plunged into a bitter family feud, with its acting chairperson warning of an outsider takeover and vowing: “I will never abandon Dusit Thani.” Chanin Donavanik, acting chairperson of Dusit Thani Plc and a descendant of founder Thanpuying Chanut Piyaoui, broke his silence today, August 27, addressing a boardroom showdown with his two sisters, Sinee Thienprasiddhi and Sunong…
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Thailand eyes 5 million Malaysian tourists amid China competition
Malaysia’s tourist target for this year has been adjusted to 5 million, mirroring the figures from 2024, yet this market might achieve a similar number of arrivals as China, remaining unaffected by the border province conditions. Patsee Permvongsenee, the executive director for the ASEAN, South Asia, and South Pacific region at the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), noted optimism for…
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Thailand’s retirement lottery launches with new payment options
Why just save for retirement when you can win your way there? Thailand’s new lottery is making it possible. Deputy Finance Minister Paopoom Rojanasakul has confirmed that sales for the highly anticipated retirement lottery will kick off in the fourth quarter of this year, offering weekly cash prizes while promoting long-term savings. Paopoom referred to the legal green light already…
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Cambodian labour exodus sparks robot rush in Thai factories
Thailand’s factories are facing a labour crunch, and robots may soon be clocking in. A drop in Cambodian workers due to a simmering territorial dispute has forced Thai manufacturers to hurry automation plans, according to the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI). The exodus of Cambodian labourers has hit sectors such as construction and agribusiness, where low-cost, manual labour is essential.…
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