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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EU to impose import fees on low-value imports from July 2026
European Union (EU) finance ministers have agreed to impose a €3 import fee on low-value imports starting July 2026, in a bid to manage the rising number of small parcels entering the bloc from e-commerce platforms such as Shein and Temu. The decision, announced yesterday, December 12, follows growing concern among EU retailers over what they describe as unfair competition…
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Thailand unveils six eco-friendly tax measures for 2027
Thailand’s Excise Department plans to roll out six new tax initiatives to promote environmental sustainability and improve public health. Director-General Pornchai Thiraveja said these policies aim to align with shifting global trade standards, which now place more emphasis on climate action and public health. The measures also support upcoming carbon-related regulations. Bangkok Post reported that the first measure expands the tax…
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Public opinion regarding casino legalisation across Thailand
Thailand prohibits most games for real money under the 1935 Gambling Act B.E. 2478. In 2025 the government proposed a new law called the Entertainment Complex Bill to allow casinos inside regulated entertainment complexes. That idea stirred a big debate across the country. In Norway and other Scandinavian countries, gambling is legal and generates revenue for the state. Other countries…
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Power semiconductor demand for EVs: manufacturing opportunities
The electric vehicle revolution depends fundamentally on power semiconductor technology that enables efficient energy conversion and management. Silicon carbide and gallium nitride semiconductors have emerged as critical components in EV powertrains, as they offer superior performance compared to traditional silicon-based devices. These materials allow electric vehicles to achieve longer range, faster charging times, and improved efficiency through reduced energy losses.…
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Thailand pawn giant cashes in on gold boom, loans soar
Thailand’s leading pawn shop chain, Easy Money, is expecting its highest loan growth in two decades, fuelled by surging gold prices and a wave of young entrepreneurs seeking short-term financing. “Loan demand is booming like we haven’t seen in 20 years,” said Easy Money Group chairperson Sittiwit Tangthanakiat. The company reported outstanding loans of 27 billion baht for the first…
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Thailand ‘Fast Pass’ to unlock stalled investment billions
Finance officials plan to present a new scheme to the economic Cabinet to fast-track approved investment projects and boost Thailand’s stalled capital flow. Thailand’s Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas will pitch the ambitious Thailand Fast Pass initiative to the economic Cabinet on Monday, November 24, aiming to cut red tape and expedite major domestic investment projects. The new scheme targets businesses…
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Thai budget deficit dips by 8.4% as economy stumbles on
Thailand’s Cabinet approved a new fiscal plan projecting reduced budget deficit and increased spending, aiming to stabilise the economy amid weak growth. Thailand’s government has announced an 8.4% reduction in the national budget deficit for the 2027 fiscal year, signalling a cautious step towards stabilising public finances amid a sluggish economy. Yesterday, November 18, the Cabinet approved a medium-term fiscal…
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Thailand pushes sustainable gem industry with GIT standard programmes
The Gem and Jewellery Institute of Thailand, or GIT, has launched a new national initiative to advance Thailand’s position as a global hub for sustainable gem and jewellery production. The programme, titled Thailand Towards a World Sustainable Gem and Jewellery Hub, aims to help SMEs meet international standards in sustainability, governance, and environmental responsibility as global trade rules continue to…
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Thailand seals China deal to export 500k tonnes of rice
Thailand plans to negotiate rice delivery terms with a Chinese state-owned firm after securing a deal to export 500,000 tonnes under a G2G agreement. The Department of Foreign Trade (DFT) has confirmed plans to finalise delivery negotiations with China’s Cofco Corporation, a state-owned agricultural importer. The shipment will include 280,000 tonnes already agreed upon under previous contracts, and a fresh…
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Thailand and Sweden eye bigger trade boost and tech ties
Thailand and Sweden held talks to boost bilateral trade and investment, focusing on technology, green products, and a potential EU free trade agreement. In a high-level meeting on Friday, November 14, Commerce Minister Suphajee Suthumpun sat down with Swedish Ambassador Anna Hammargren to push forward the Thailand-Sweden Strategic Partnership and discuss fast-tracking negotiations on a long-awaited Thailand–EU free trade agreement.…
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Why is everyone talking about investing in 2025?
If there’s one financial topic dominating conversations right now, it’s investing in 2025. Across Reddit threads and Wall Street trading floors, sentiment is cautiously optimistic—though somewhat weary—about what the next 12 months may bring. But what’s really behind this growing interest? And why are more people than ever, from seasoned investors to first-timers, choosing to jump in? The Economic Rebound…
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Thailand to tax cheap imports to protect local SMEs
Thailand will impose a 10% customs duty on low-cost imports to support local SMEs, following concerns about cheap foreign goods harming domestic industries. The duty will be introduced on January 1, a major policy shift aimed at shielding local small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) from the rising tide of cheap foreign products. Finance Minister Ekniti Nithanprapas announced the move, which…
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How Baht strength and government moves impact gold trading in Thailand
Thailand’s gold culture runs deep. From Chinatown shops in Bangkok to family savings across Chiang Mai and Khon Kaen, gold is both a store of value and a trading vehicle. Yet the domestic price you see on the board is not just a reflection of global spot. It is a blend of international gold, the baht’s exchange rate, and the…
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Grab and LINE MAN orders soar under state co-pay scheme
Two major food delivery platforms reported millions of orders after the launch of a co-payment scheme aimed at boosting consumer spending nationwide. Grab and LINE MAN Wongnai reported a surge in activity under the Khon La Khrueng Plus initiative, which began allowing online food delivery orders from November 7. According to the Finance Ministry, nearly 20 million users had joined…
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Thai business loans expected to rise as year-end demand heats up
Business lending in Thailand is expected to rebound in the final quarter of the year, driven by rising demand from both large corporations and small firms, according to industry analysts. The uptick comes as the Bank of Thailand (BoT)’s latest regulations support the government’s debt relief initiative, giving financial institutions new tools to handle non-performing loans (NPLs) more effectively. Weerapat…
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What makes some online activities a big hit in Thailand
Thailand has become one of the most digitally active countries in Southeast Asia. The internet is a part of everyday life for millions. From entertainment to shopping, people in Thailand are using their phones and computers for a wide variety of daily tasks. But some activities online are more notable than others. They grow faster, increase in number of users,…
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Energy minister pushes ahead with hydrogen and nuclear strategy
Thailand’s Energy Minister Auttapol Rerkpiboon says he will pursue long-term clean energy projects, including hydrogen and nuclear development, despite the limited time under the current government’s term. Speaking yesterday, November 9, Auttapol said he aims to lay the groundwork for initiatives that may not be completed before the administration steps down. Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has pledged to dissolve Parliament…
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Thailand’s new alcohol law fines customers for drinking after hours
Thailand’s updated Alcohol Control Act, which came into force on November 8, came into effect with confusion and criticism from business operators, tourists and the hospitality industry, as the law introduces penalties not only for sellers but also for drinkers consuming alcohol outside permitted hours. Under the revised Alcohol Control Act (No. 2), B.E. 2568, consumers can now be fined…
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Thailand retailers wage all-out war for 11.11 shopping surge
Major retailers in Thailand are ramping up 11.11 campaigns with omnichannel strategies to boost year-end consumer spending and reclaim lost sales. As the final quarter of the year kicks into gear, November has become a high-stakes battleground for Thailand’s leading retailers. With consumer spending still lagging, major department stores and specialty chains are pushing their 11.11 campaigns to new heights,…
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Thailand’s tourism tax stalled again despite 11 billion baht potential
Thailand’s plan to introduce a tourist tax for foreign visitors remains stalled due to political delays, despite full readiness and strong industry backing. Initially backed by the National Tourism Policy Committee in February 2023, the fee would charge inbound travellers 300 baht by air or 150 baht by land or sea, applying only to overnight visitors. Despite its potential to…
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Thailand restores Chinese tourist confidence by affirming no-casino stance
The Prime Minister of Thailand, Anutin Charnvirakul, has recently mentioned that the President of China, Xi Jinping, is pleased about Thailand’s decision not to allow regulated gambling in the country. Speaking at Bangkok’s 6 airbase after attending the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation meetings that were held in South Korea, Prime Minister Charnvirakul has confirmed that this decision was made with the…
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UK sanctions hit Thai firms over Russia war links
The UK has sanctioned four Thai companies for allegedly aiding Russia’s war in Ukraine, prompting Thai authorities to warn businesses of reputational risks. Thailand’s Department of Foreign Trade (DFT), under the Ministry of Commerce, confirmed the development following an announcement by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO). The UK’s latest round of designations targeted 39 individuals and entities…
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Thailand to slap import duties on all low-value online goods
Thailand’s Customs Department will begin imposing import duties on low-value online goods to boost revenue and support fair competition for local businesses. The move, aimed at levelling the playing field for local businesses, will target goods previously exempt from import duties and applies to any item valued under 1,500 baht, even those costing just 1 baht. Phanthong Loykulnanta, director-general of…
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DHL powers up Thailand’s first solar-run logistics hub
Thailand has taken a major step toward green logistics as DHL opened its first fully solar-powered facility, aiming to boost sustainable trade in Southeast Asia. The new Bangna Sustainable Logistics Centre, launched by DHL Supply Chain Thailand, is the logistics giant’s first global facility powered entirely by on-site solar energy. Backed by a 1.39 billion baht investment, the site showcases…
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Lotus’s and Makro now accept government co-payment scheme
Retail chains Lotus’s and Makro have joined the Khon La Khrueng Plus (Half-Half Plus) co-payment scheme alongside over 10,000 participating vendors across the country, according to an announcement posted on the official Lotus’s Facebook page today, November 3. The co-payment scheme, introduced by the Ministry of Finance in 2020, is designed to stimulate domestic spending and support small vendors and low-income…
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Co-payment scheme boost sends Thai shop sales soaring 80%
Sales at government-backed Thong Fah shops have surged by 80% after the launch of a subsidy scheme aimed at helping Thais afford essential goods. Witiya Manee-net, Director of the Department of Internal Trade, confirmed the spike during a recent inspection of a Thong Fah outlet, Kitsawat store, located on Samakkhi Road in Nonthaburi’s Mueang district. “The response from locals has…
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Find the best time to enter a forex trade by following when the market is most active
In Thailand, traders often discover that timing can be just as important as strategy. Even a strong setup can fail if entered at the wrong time, while a modest setup can succeed when the market is in full swing. Knowing when the market is most active can help Thai traders enter positions with higher potential for movement and better liquidity.…
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Thailand sets sights on sky-high role as aviation powerhouse
Thailand’s transport officials are collaborating with aviation leaders to transform the country into a regional hub for aircraft maintenance and connectivity. The Transport Ministry sets plans in motion to transform the nation into a premier aviation hub for Southeast Asia. The strategy focuses heavily on boosting its maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) sector while redirecting air traffic to ease congestion…
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Thailand eyes 1.2 million US tourists with new flight boom
Thailand is preparing to welcome a surge in tourists from the US, as new flight routes and increased interest in luxury travel drive up arrival forecasts. Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) Governor Thapanee Kiatphaibool announced that the country expects nearly 1.2 million visitors from the United States in 2026, an 8% jump from this year. The forecast follows the return…
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Trump and Malaysia sign trade and minerals deals to counter China
Today on October 26, US President Donald Trump and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim signed a trade agreement and a critical minerals pact in Kuala Lumpur, aimed at enhancing trade across Southeast Asia and countering China’s restrictions on rare earth access. US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer noted that Malaysia would adjust its tariffs and non-tariff barriers, which is expected to…
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