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 Why retirees in Thailand are choosing long-term health insurance over quick fixes
Retirees in Thailand are increasingly seeing the importance of health insurance in protecting their well-being during retirement. With insurance requirements for retirement visas and rising healthcare costs, many are moving away from short-term plans and choosing long-term coverage. Long-term health...
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Doubts over Thai target of 8.2 million Chinese visitors in 2024
Analysts have expressed doubts over the Tourism Authority of Thailand’s (TAT) ambitious target of attracting 8.2 million Chinese visitors next year. This comes as predictions for overall foreign arrivals next year have been downscaled, amidst concerns over a sluggish global economy. Kasem Prunratanamala, who leads research at CGS-CIMB Securities in Thailand, stated that while the firm has kept its estimation…
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Thai Airways takes a smile: Reinstates nine cool-season routes for domestic delight
Thai Airways International reinstated nine domestic routes for the cool season, previously provided by its former affiliate, Thai Smile Airways. The services, which will run until March 30, utilise the Airbus A320 planes from the airline’s former subsidiary, Thai Smile. The re-established routes offer daily flights from Bangkok to nine destinations – Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Hat Yai, Khon Kaen,…
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Thailand and Malaysia enhance bilateral relations to boost border trade and tourism
A significant agreement was recently reached between the leaders of Thailand and Malaysia to bolster their bilateral relations, with a specific focus on enhancing border trade and tourism. The Thai Prime Minister, Srettha Thavisin, and his Malaysian counterpart, Anwar Ibrahim, agreed upon this during their working visit at the newly inaugurated Sadao customs checkpoint in Songkhla. Their meeting, which took…
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Job-jitters in Thailand: Employment growth hits five-quarter low
The state planning agency of Thailand revealed today that the country’s employment growth has slowed to a five-quarter low of 1.3% year-on-year in the third quarter amid a sluggish economy and weak demand for exports. This comes as Southeast Asia’s second-largest economy recorded a meagre growth of 1.5% in the July-September period, marking the slowest pace witnessed this year. The…
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Visa-free travel policies boost global tourism and economy
Countries worldwide are recognising the importance of travel freedom in bolstering their economies and accelerating the recovery post-pandemic. As tourism and trade flourish without border restrictions, governments are implementing strategies to enhance their tourism competitiveness, such as visa-free travel policies and the digitalisation of pre-travel processes. Prominent countries like China and India, with their vast populations, are primary targets for…
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Thai and Malaysian PMs to boost border trade and tourism
A meeting slated for tomorrow between Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim in Songkhla province is expected to tackle initiatives aimed at enhancing Thai-Malaysian border trade and tourism. A source revealed that the agenda includes a proposal from Thai tourism businesses to grant Tor Mor 6 immigration clearance form exemptions to Malaysian visitors at five…
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10 trading strategies you must explore for a stable flow of finance
An investment strategy represents a set of principles that guide investment decisions. There are different trading plans that you can follow depending on your choice, risk tolerance, access to capital, and ability to reach your long-term financial goal. When you are trading in financial markets, you will come across popular trading options. You can find your success using one strategy to…
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Gold prices could hit US$2,015 per ounce in near future, says GTA
The Gold Traders Association (GTA) projected a potential rise in gold prices, possibly hitting US$2,015 (71,535 baht) per ounce in the near future. However, this trend may be interspersed with periods of market volatility. Yesterday morning, spot gold saw an increase of 0.4% to US$1,997.39, spurred by a dip in the US dollar and a fall in the benchmark US…
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Thai car exports surge 12.2% in October despite domestic sales slump
Thai car exports witnessed a 12.2% surge in October, reaching 105,726 units, thanks to the escalating demand for pickups primarily in the Middle East. However, domestic sales didn’t keep pace, suffering from the burden of high household debt. The Federation of Thai Industries (FTI)’s Automotive Industry Club reported robust sales in other markets last month, including Australia, Europe, North America,…
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Chinese tourists still prefer Thailand despite visa exemptions
Despite increasing competition from countries offering visa exemptions to Chinese tourists, Thailand’s tourism industry remains secure due to its dominant market share and increased expenditure per trip, according to the country’s Tourism and Sports Ministry. Countries such as Kazakhstan, Maldives and Sri Lanka have started offering visa exemptions for Chinese tourists, yet Thailand continues to be the preferred destination, said…
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Thai economy in crisis: Government seeks foreign investment and tackles debt
The economy in Thailand is in crisis and needs some significant stimulation, according to the nation’s Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, who also acts as the Thai Finance Minister. The nation’s reliance on tourism has been heavily impacted by lower-than-expected foreign arrivals, resulting in a need to prioritise foreign investment and tackle household debt. The 61 year old prime minister made…
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Former TAT governor urges government to boost Chinese visitor numbers
The former Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) governor urged the government to reconsider its tourism strategy to improve the dwindling Chinese market. Predictions for this year suggest that arrivals from China will only total 26.8% of the 2019 level. Former TAT governor Yuthasak Supasorn suggested that the government should negotiate with China to secure more flight routes and slots for Thai…
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Thailand and Sri Lanka set to finalise free trade agreement by year’s end
Thailand and Sri Lanka are on track to finalise a bilateral free trade agreement (FTA) by the close of this year. The chief of trade negotiations has indicated that the signing of the agreement is expected by early February next year. Chotima Iemsawasdikul, the director-general of the Trade Negotiations Department, disclosed that Thai and Sri Lankan officials are set to…
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Thai stock market hit by short selling amid falling figures
Speculation on short selling and naked short sales has been linked with causing havoc in the Thai stock market today, as retail investors attribute the continuous market decline to these practices. The Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) has taken a hit this year with a drop of 14.9% as of November 20 and a decrease in market capitalisation from 3.2…
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Thailand’s smart electronics and IT sectors set for growth with EV production
The Office of Industrial Economics (OIE) anticipates a significant surge in Thailand’s smart electronics, and IT sectors in the forthcoming year. The trigger for this expected growth is the commencement of production by global electric vehicle (EV) manufacturers within the country. The assembly of EVs is heavily reliant on electronics and IT products, hence the increased demand in these sectors,…
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Spa-demic resilience: Thailand’s wellness sector unaffected by global downturn says MSpa
Minor Hotels’ spa and wellness arm, MSpa International, declared that the current global economic downturn and geopolitical conflicts will not impact high-spending guests in Thailand’s wellness sector. The company’s group director, Sandie Johannessen, stated emphatically that the nation’s wellness centres continue to attract enthusiastic visitors for leisure trips and retreats, despite the global situation. Johannessen also pointed towards the affluent…
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Central Pattana Plc launches Black Friday 2023 #shocksales
Black Friday 2023 #shocksales is set to be launched by Central Pattana Plc, an entity responsible for the operation of 38 malls across the country and The Esplanade. Spanning three days, the major shopping extravaganza provides shoppers with numerous promotional opportunities mirroring the Black Friday sales in the United States, a customary retail period that follows Thanksgiving and marks the…
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Thai stock exchange investigates potential naked short selling offences
A specialised committee has been established by the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET), designed to delve into the issue of naked short selling. The team will comprise representatives from the Korea Exchange and Nasdaq stock exchange in the US, brought in to aid Thai regulators in their investigation into potential offences. The committee’s work is slated to commence imminently, as…
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Airlines request more flight slots into Thailand, CAAT reveals
A request for slot redistribution has been lodged by several airlines as they plan to increase flights into Thailand, reveals an insider from the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT). This request was presented to CAAT’s top executives at the 153rd Slot Conference that took place in Dubai from November 14 to 17. This biannual gathering, arranged by the International…
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Thailand’s 2023 financial growth predictions revised down due to GDP data
Economic analysts have recently revised their predictions for Thailand’s 2023 financial growth, due to disappointing third quarter GDP expansion data and uncertainties surrounding the contentious digital wallet policy. For the initial nine months of 2023, the economy grew by 1.9%. Maybank Securities, based in Malaysia, has reduced its 2023 Thai growth prediction from 2.9% to 2.3%. This decision was influenced…
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Free trade agreement: Sri Lanka and Thailand set to seal the deal
With a renewed focus on trade agreements, Sri Lanka is preparing to finalise and sign a free trade agreement (FTA) with Thailand on February 3, next year. The development was announced by Sri Lanka’s Cabinet spokesperson today, November 21, confirming that discussions were on track for completion in December. The impending agreement is part of the island nation’s strategic efforts…
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Q3 slowdown: Thailand economy hits the brakes at 1.5%, falling short of forecasts
With an annual growth rate of 1.5% recorded in the third quarter, Thailand’s economy has shown a slower expansion compared to predictions, according to data released today, November 20. The National Economic and Social Development Council revealed that, from July to September, the economy of Southeast Asia’s second-largest country experienced a seasonally adjusted growth of 0.8% every quarter. However, these…
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All aboard: China’s rail freight trail blazes historic route to Thailand, breaking new ground in cross-border cargo collaboration
A monumental event unfolded at 10am on November 17 as a Chinese freight train, packed with 35 cargo containers, embarked on its maiden journey to Thailand. This is the first official rail freight transport from China to Thailand, made possible through a collaborative effort between the Chinese government and Thai private sectors. The destination of this freight train is the…
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DeeMoney partners with SCB to facilitate secure cross-border money transfers, expanding access to the Myanmar market
Sawasdee Shop Co., Ltd., operating as a fintech company, introduced the DeeMoney platform, a robust Thai cross-border transaction system supporting over 26 currencies across 50 countries globally. This company has solidified a business partnership with Siam Commercial Bank, announcing their collaboration to enhance the money transfer service from Thailand to Myanmar. The focus lies in developing cross-border money transfer services…
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BAAC plans to boost export of high-value agricultural goods
Chatchai Sirilai, the president of the Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives (BAAC), stated that the bank will augment its role as a facilitator for the export of high-value agricultural goods. This move is aimed at increasing income for farmers. The BAAC’s strategy is focused on nurturing a new generation of farmers who concentrate on producing quality products, rather than…
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Kazakhstan courts ASEAN investors to become Central Asia’s investment hub
Kazakhstan is reaching out to foreign investors, particularly from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), in a bid to establish itself as a central investment hub in the Central Asia Region. The Kazakh government has expressed interest in mutual economic development with the Southeast Asian region, according to Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Roman Vassilenko. He made these remarks…
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Generative AI takes center stage: Chinese tech giants intensify development to compete globally
Leading technology corporations in China are escalating their efforts in the development of generative artificial intelligence (AI), aiming to compete with their US counterparts. They are launching extensive language models (LLM) that will support a wide array of applications, from weather prediction and financial analysis to 3D e-commerce, with the primary objective of enhancing enterprise productivity and user experience. McKinsey,…
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Sugar cane farmers dispute government’s 2 baht price hike
Sugar cane farmers in Thailand are seeking clarification from the industry and commerce ministries regarding the Cabinet’s decision to allow a mere 2-baht increase per kilogramme in ex-factory sugar prices. The decision has been deemed unfair by sugar manufacturers as it falls short of the four-baht price hike requested by the Cane and Sugar Board. Citing escalating manufacturing costs due…
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Thai chamber calls for infrastructure development in secondary tourism provinces
A call to accelerate public infrastructure development in 10 secondary tourism provinces has been issued by the Thai Chamber of Commerce (TCC). The move is hoped to push tourism revenue and transform these areas into main tourist attractions. The TCC, on Saturday, shared its development blueprint, which also aims to address social inequality within the 10 provinces currently under consideration.…
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Thailand sees surge in airfares despite low travel season
Airfares in Thailand witnessed a substantial increase in the third quarter of this year, despite it traditionally being a low season for travel. This surge was driven by a robust travel demand. Thai AirAsia, for instance, observed a 22% year-on-year rise in its airfares during this period, while Bangkok Airways’ rates saw a 15% hike. The average fare price for…
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