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.
-
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...
-
Thai government increases 2025 budget deficit for economic boost
The Government of Thailand has sanctioned a rise in the 2025 budget deficit by an extra 153 billion baht, to instigate an economic boost. As a result, the budget will increase to 3.752 trillion baht, a significant hike from the previously planned 3.6 trillion, according to Chalermphol Pensoot, the Budget Bureau director at the Ministry of Finance. The budget deficit…
-
Thailand’s waste-fighting wave: InterceptorTM 019 makes a splash
The fight against marine waste has taken a monumental step in Thailand with the official launch of the InterceptorTM 019, a solar-powered and fully automated device dedicated to capturing waste. This milestone is the result of joint efforts by The Ocean Cleanup, a Dutch non-profit environmental engineering organisation, and its first global implementation partner, The Coca-Cola Company, along with a…
-
Govt bets big on Thai entertainment complex, stakes high
The stakes are high for each venue within the integrated Thai entertainment complex development project by the Government of Thailand, with investments expected to reach over a staggering 100 billion baht. The chairman of the ordinary committee of the House of Representatives and Deputy Finance Minister, Julapun Amornvivat, plans to present the results of a study on entertainment complexes and…
-
Shocking surge: Thailand market sparks rise in EV loans
The Thai market is seeing a rise in loans for electric vehicles (EVs), as they are projected to lead the expansion in auto lending this year. Krungsri Auto, a prominent auto loan provider and a Bank of Ayudhya (Krungsri) unit, has projected new EV sales to climb to 100,000 units this year, a significant increase from 76,000 units the previous…
-
True Corporation partners with TAT to boost Thailand tourism
True Corporation, in partnership with the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), has rolled out the True Nationwide, For Everyone initiative, aiming to offer benefits and privileges to both Thai and international tourists throughout their travel journey. This initiative aligns with the government’s strategy to establish Thailand as a major tourism hub by 2024, aiming to generate over 3 trillion baht…
-
Isuzu revs up green initiative with PTT union for clean fuel trials
Tri Petch Isuzu, Thailand’s Isuzu vehicle distributor, is joining forces with PTT Plc to test vehicles powered by a novel clean fuel. This initiative is aimed at supporting efforts to reduce the high carbon dioxide emissions from Thailand’s transport sector. The transport and power generation sectors are the main contributors to over 60% of Thailand’s greenhouse gas emissions, as per…
-
Gold soars to unprecedented heights amid geopolitical tensions
As the second quarter of the year commences, gold has reached unprecedented heights, thanks to geopolitical tensions and the Federal Reserve’s impending rate cuts. The precious metal’s price soared to as high as US$2,259.69 per ounce, marking an increase of 1.3% from its value at the end of last week. The Federal Reserve’s preferred measure of core inflation, the core…
-
World Bank predicts 2.8% economic growth for Thailand
The World Bank predicted a modest economic growth of 2.8% for Thailand in 2024, with an acceleration of 3.0% in 2025. This forecast announced today, April 1, is underpinned by the nation’s struggling exports and a postponed budget. This projection for 2024 and 2025 marks a decrease from the previously estimated figures of 3.2% and 3.1%, respectively, set in December.…
-
Bangkok Airways anticipates 20% revenue growth
A projected 20% growth in passenger revenue is on the horizon for Bangkok Airways this year as the company shifts its pricing strategy in response to a resurgence in demand. The airline’s forward bookings for the Songkran festival and the second quarter are looking strong. Puttipong Prasarttong-Osoth, the airline’s president, voiced optimism about the Thai aviation industry’s recovery from last…
-
Thailand’s manufacturing production index falls for 17th time
The Office of Industrial Economics (OIE) disclosed that Thailand’s Manufacturing Production Index (MPI) has fallen for the 17th consecutive month. February saw a year-on-year decrease of 2.8%, bringing the index to 99.2 points. This slump is largely attributed to a drop in manufacturing within key sectors, including the automotive industry. The OIE has also highlighted ongoing issues with high household…
-
Bangkok’s residential market downturn with 22.5% annual decline
Greater Bangkok’s residential market saw a downturn in the final quarter of last year, with new units sold shrinking by 14.5% compared to the previous year. This contributed to an overall annual decline of 22.5%, as reported by the Real Estate Information Center (REIC). Vichai Viratkapan, the acting director-general of the centre, attributed this to a mismatch between supply and…
-
Thai hotel industry resists proposed minimum wage hike
The tourism industry has voiced its concerns over the recent approval by the tripartite wage committee to increase the minimum wage to 400 baht for four-star hotels in 10 key tourism cities, beginning with the Songkran holiday. Hoteliers argue that the implementation of the wage hike is unjust as the recovery from the pandemic has been uneven across the targeted…
-
PTT plc eyes green methanol production
PTT Plc, a major national oil and gas conglomerate, is contemplating the construction of a green methanol production facility. The project, costing an estimated 3.1 billion baht, aligns with PTT’s initiative to curtail carbon dioxide emissions and manufacture methanol-derived fuels. Traditionally, methanol production relies heavily on fossil fuels. However, PTT’s proposed method utilises biomass or carbon capture techniques, paving the…
-
LiVE Fin Corp launches new S curve to capital market initiative
LiVE Fin Corp, under the aegis of the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET), has set in motion a new initiative that seeks to bolster the potential of 60 entrepreneurial entities, startups, and small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in high-growth sectors. The initiative, christened “New S Curve to Capital Market,” has been crafted in partnership with KPMG Thailand, the National Innovation…
-
Thai SMEs urged to leverage Secured Transaction Act for loans
The Thai Commerce Ministry is encouraging small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to capitalise on the Secured Transaction Act. This act allows businesses to use assets with economic value, such as machinery, high-value trees, and intellectual property, as collateral for securing loans. Deputy Commerce Minister Napintorn Srisunpang made these remarks during the opening of the Business Collateral Fair. The event was…
-
Thai govt accelerates Thai-European FTA negotiations
The Thai government is speeding up negotiations for the Thai-European Free Trade Association (EFTA) to conclude within the current year. This information followed a discussion between Commerce Minister Phuntham Wechayachai and Swiss Ambassador Pedro Zwahlen. The minister revealed that the talks are being hastened following the policy of Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin’s administration, which desires to expand opportunities and bolster…
-
Thai tourism federation calls for urgent supply development
The Federation of Thai Tourism Associations (FETTA) has revealed its intention to present an urgent demand for supply development to the government. The appeal is due to a rising demand that is overburdening the existing infrastructure. This was disclosed by FETTA Secretary-General Adith Chairattananon. Adith explained that while the government has been keen on stimulating demand by granting visa exemptions…
-
Thai economy struggles post-election, foreign investment declines
Thailand’s economy continues to struggle despite the first General Election since 2019, which was anticipated to stimulate growth and attract foreign investors. Instead, the nation has seen its benchmark stock index decline for the fifth quarter consecutively, foreign investment is waning, and the baht is showing the second-worst performance amongst Asian currencies. According to Narongsak Plodmechai, CEO of SCB Asset…
-
BAAC to back 50,000 tech-savvy farmers with 55 billion baht
The Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives (BAAC), a state-owned entity, outlined an ambitious plan to foster a new breed of technologically adept farmers. The bank intends to support 50,000 young, smart farmers over the next five years, offering low-interest loans that total 55 billion baht (US$1.5 billion). BAAC president, Chatchai Sirilai, announced the project’s key objective following a memorandum…
-
Thai domestic car sales slump hits 26% as pickup sector suffers
The Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) reported a 26% year-on-year drop in domestic car sales for February, primarily affecting the pickup sector. This downturn is expected to hit a two-year low. The total number of cars sold in the country came to 52,843 units, a significant drop from the previous year’s 71,551 units. Despite the worrying sales slump, Surapong Paisitpatanapong,…
-
Thailand forecasts 558 billion baht foreign investment in key sectors
Following a series of global roadshows led by Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, the Board of Investment (BoI) anticipates a surge of at least 558 billion baht (US$15 billion) in foreign investment inflows into Thailand. The funds are expected to be channelled primarily into four critical sectors – digital, electric vehicles (EVs) and components, electronics and semiconductors, and logistics. BoI’s Secretary-General,…
-
Hong Kong’s national security law: Foreign corporations
Corporate lawyers and consultants have revealed that foreign corporations operating in Hong Kong have been revisiting their strategies since the previous year in anticipation of the recently passed domestic national security law. Despite assurances from the city and central authorities that the legislation, dictated by Article 23 of the Basic Law, would neither disrupt operations nor negatively impact the city’s…
-
Thailand’s car industry hits the brakes: Production plunges 20%
With a significant decrease in production, Thailand’s car output experienced a 19.28% year-on-year slump in February, with the total units produced amounting to only 133,690, as reported by the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI). The numbers, attributed predominantly to the reduced production of pickup trucks and increased imports of electric vehicles (EVs), starkly contrast the 12.46% dip recorded in January.…
-
Thai stock market hits snooze button despite extended hours
Despite the extension of the Stock Exchange of Thailand‘s (SET) trading hours and looming interest rate cuts by the Bank of Thailand, the Thai market failed to rally yesterday. Concerns over a premature rate cut and the aftermath of a recent terrorist attack near Moscow fuelled investor anxiety. The SET yesterday, March 25, increased its trading period from 270 to…
-
True Corporation and DTAC merger lawsuit stirs telecom sector
A recent order from the Supreme Administrative Court may be causing ripples in the telecommunication sector. The court has asked the Central Administrative Court to accept a lawsuit filed by five individuals, aimed at nullifying the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission’s (NBTC) approval of the merger between True Corporation and Total Access Communication (DTAC). However, industry insiders view this order…
-
Thai fruit frenzy: Chanthaburi aims to peel away competition
Chanthaburi is set to be promoted as the leading fruit exporter to China by the Commerce Ministry, to drive sales of durian and mangosteen to exceed 3 billion baht. This move has been catalysed by a recently signed memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the Thai-Chinese Agricultural Import-Export Association and the China Fruit Marketing Association. Commerce Minister Phumtham Wechayachai emphasised that…
-
Thai PM considers turning air force base into commercial airport
Thailand Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has been approached by provincial authorities in Nakhon Ratchasima to convert the local air force base into a commercial airport. The appeal was made during a meeting yesterday, March 24, to foster business growth and encourage tourism in the province, according to deputy spokesperson Kenika Ounjit. The authorities are requesting the private sector be allowed…
-
Thai gold prices see slight rise, now at 37,900 baht per baht-weight
Thai gold prices have experienced a modest increase, catching the attention of potential buyers and investors. As of the latest update from the Gold Traders Association (GTA), the cost of gold ornaments rose by 50 baht since the last recorded prices, indicating a slight uptick in the precious metal’s market value. The GTS’s website revealed that as of 9.09am today,…
-
Thailand govt releases 1.35 trillion baht from 2024 budget
Between October 1, 2023, and March 8, a whopping 1.35 trillion baht has been released from the 2024 fiscal budget by the Thailand government, according to data from the Comptroller-General’s Department. Comptroller-General’s Department Director-General Patricia Mongkhonvanit explained that the 2024 Expenditure Budget Act draft is still under review by the House of Representatives. In such scenarios, the Budget Bureau’s Budgetary…
-
Thailand Stock Exchange shakes up trading oversight
The Thailand Stock Exchange (SET) has launched a series of initiatives to bolster trading oversight and refine company listing criteria. This move is to regain investor confidence, following a 15.5% negative return last year, the worst performance globally among stock exchanges. Foreign investors offloaded 192 billion baht worth of Thai shares last year, with this trend continuing into the first…
Don't forget to check out some other things to do in Thailand - get help starting a business or finding a job in Thailand, buy Thailand property, rent a yacht or book a medical procedure worldwide.