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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Thai tourism minister proposes bolstering sector for sustainable tourism
To boost the national economy, Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn, Thailand’s Tourism and Sports Minister, has put forth a proposal to prioritise tourism as a national agenda, with a focus on making Thailand a destination for sustainable tourism. He strongly encourages his successor to continue this endeavour. Phiphat’s aspirations don’t end there, as he also suggested elevating the status of the tourism ministry,…
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Foodland pivots strategy targeting younger generations with Grocerant convenience outlets
Established supermarket chain Foodland Supermarket Co implements fresh business tactics to allure the younger generations whilst partnering with property developers to inaugurate convenience outlets on housing and condominium sites. Embracing this revamped strategy, the firm has tied up within SC Asset Corporation subsidiaries, leasing out space and debuting two novel ‘Grocerant’ outlets, a subsidiary retail label within the Foodland Group,…
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Sustainability investment doubled by Thai union to benefit oceans and communities
Unrelenting in his pursuit of sustainability, Thiraphong Chansiri, CEO of Thai Union Group PCL, a dominant player in the global seafood manufacturing scene, divulged pivotal advancements in the company’s ecological strategy. Always at the forefront of advocating sustainable business practices, Thiraphong explained the profound pressure on our oceans, harbouring the livelihood and sustenance of up to 600 million people, particularly…
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Thai baht’s unexpected surge makes a splash, takes the lead in Asian currency gains
In an unexpected buoy of currency today, the Thai baht took the lead in Asian currency gains, reaching a two-month apex. This surge, of 0.9%, comes in the wake of strong hopes for the resolution of Thailand‘s political deadlock and a waning US dollar, factors that buoyed the sentiments of investors. Meanwhile, share market traders adopted a cautious stance; local…
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Trade war triggers fear of new EV chip shortage from China export limit
Leading authorities in the industry fear another chip shortage could soon hit electric vehicle (EV) manufacturers. This comes as China limits the export of two significant metals, a move driven by the ongoing trade dispute between Washington and Beijing, as reported by the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI). As of August 1, China will impose trade restrictions on select products…
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Thai businesses call for swift government formation
A speedy establishment of a new administration is of paramount importance, according to the business community amid ongoing political uncertainty. Chookiat Ophaswongse, an honorary president of the Thai Rice Exporters Association voiced concerns over the nebulous political situation, indicating the future of Move Forward Party leader Pita Limjaroenrat as the next prime minister is uncertain, making the country vulnerable to…
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High-end watch demand increases among younger Thai generation
A constant evolution and inherent value have ensured a secure niche for high-end watches in today’s market, said Narun Thamavaranukup, the managing director of watch distribution company, PMT The Hour Glass. With smartphones ubiquitous, one might think wristwatches would lose their charm. However, as Narun says, these timepieces are more than mere instruments to tell time. For Narun, watches play…
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Fitch affirms Thailand’s BBB+ rating, forecasts GDP and tourism growth
Having earned a reputation for shrewd financial forecasting, Fitch Ratings has given Thailand‘s long-term foreign-currency issuer default rating (IDR) a rating affirmation of BBB+ and a stable outlook. The judgement is largely influenced by a balance between the firm’s macroeconomic policy framework and sound external finances, gauged against some structural weaknesses like the lower per capita income and lower World…
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Thai stock market fluctuates amid MFP leader’s shareholding controversy
The Move Forward Party (MFP) leader’s shareholding case prompts fluctuations in the Thai stock market. The Exchange Commission (EC) yesterday referred Pita Limjaroenrat’s iTV shareholding case to the Constitutional Court for resolution, sending ripples through the stock market. Suspicions regarding Pita’s iTV shareholding led the EC to propose he ceases all MP duties immediately, pending court deliberation in the following…
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Thai tourism hit by weak Chinese market and waning local interest
The sluggish Chinese economy and hesitant local budget travellers have dealt a blow to Thai tourism operators along the eastern seaboard, casting a gloomy cloud over this year’s revenue prospects. The slow recovery marks it as a testing time for places like Pattaya, particularly with a quiet Chinese market yet to bounce back and local visitors not returning en masse,…
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PTT Plc amplifies renewable energy drive with hydrogen fuel advancement
National energy titan PTT Plc is bolstering initiatives to harness additional renewable power sources and progress its hydrogen fuel enterprise, as part of a strategy for sustainable company growth. Cherdchai Boonchoochauy, Senior Executive Vice President for Innovation and New Ventures, specified that PTT’s existing blueprint is to create 12 gigawatts of renewable electricity and restrict power generated from non-renewable fuels…
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Thailand’s foreign direct investment skyrockets with focus on EV industry
Investment attraction to Thailand has seen a remarkable surge in the first half of this year. The nation registered a 70% year-on-year increase to an impressive 364 billion baht, according to the Board of Investment (BoI). This boost, particularly contributed by an astonishing 141% soar in foreign direct investment, serves as a testament to Thailand’s status as a preferred manufacturing…
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Thai rice exports poised to hit 9 million tonnes amid climate anxieties
Thailand stands on the cusp of a hugely promising year in terms of rice exportation, which, forecasts suggest, could reach up to 9 million tonnes. Making the most of a climate-induced market fervour, the Thai industry gleefully anticipates shipping masses of what is an integral commodity to many. The increase in demand is believed to be rooted in anxieties about…
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Revenue department to use AI for virtual tax consultation with taxpayers
Plans are underway within the Revenue Department to employ online chatbots to provide virtual tax consultation for taxpayers. Director-General Lavaron Sangsnit confided that discussions have commenced with a notable tech entity, Microsoft Corp, concerning the integration of such programmed interactive platforms to offer simplified answers to tax-related queries. The objective of this manoeuvre, states the director-general, is to provide a…
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Japanese tourism numbers in Thailand threatened by weak yen and slow Japan flight reintroduction
In light of Japan’s hesitant return to tourism and a faltering yen, Thailand’s Tourism Authority (TAT) admitted there may be difficulty in meeting the year’s target of 850,000 Japanese arrivals. The figure reflects 50% of the Japanese tourism figures reported in 2019, considered an optimistic scenario by the Tokyo office director of TAT, Kajorndet Apichartrakul. As enclosed by Kajorndet, the…
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TTB to tackle household debt and promote ESG standards
Piti Tantakasem, Chief Executive of TMBThanachart Bank (ttb), insists that tackling high levels of household debt should be a priority on the national agenda. Piti made known that he is poised to tackle the issue, given his leading role within the household debt resolution team set up by the Thai Bankers’ Association (TBA). Alongside the central bank and other pertinent…
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French firms eye big ticket investment in Thailand’s EEC
In a bid to fortify its economy, the Thai government is extending an invitation to French corporations to make significant investments in the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC). Identified as an ideal zone for the development of a high-tech industrial park, the EEC comprises sections of Chachoengsao, Chon Buri, and Rayong. The authorities have identified aviation alongside 11 other S-curve industries…
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Thai SEC seizes Stark Corporation’s assets amidst false accounting claims
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) of Thailand seized the assets of Stark Corporation and some of its key personnel due to accusations of false accounting. Excessive damages have ensued following this misconduct with Stark’s debts rising above 38 billion baht as believed by the regulators. The SEC has also frozen the assets of Vonnarat Tangkaravakoon, formerly the acting chief executive…
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GAC Aion to invest 6 billion baht in Thai EV market expansion
China‘s third-largest electric vehicle (EV) producer, GAC Aion, is gearing up to expand its operations in the Thai market. In an ambitious plan, the automaker pledged to pour over 6 billion baht into the establishment of manufacturing and sales facilities in Thailand. This noteworthy market penetration comes as the result of the Board of Investment’s (BoI) careful arrangement involving seven…
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Starbucks Thailand advances expansion, eyes 800 outlets by 2030
Starbucks Thailand unveiled a bold expansion plan for the 2023 to 2030 period. The plan aims to increase the current number of Starbucks outlets in the country from 465 to a whopping total of 800 by the end of 2030. As per this agenda, the addition of 335 stores is projected across Thailand over the specified span. Nednapa Srisamai, the…
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THAI lags as Centara Grand emerges Thailand’s strongest brand
The sluggish revival of business tourism, coupled with Thailand’s failure to establish itself as a global connection hub, has resulted in the brand value of Thai Airways (THAI) lagging behind its rivals. Conversely, Centara Grand Hotels & Resorts has emerged as the strongest brand in the nation this year. According to Alex Haigh, who serves as the Asia-Pacific Managing Director at…
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Bank of Thailand considers interest rate cuts to address household debt
A senior executive at the Bank of Thailand hinted at the possibility of interest rate slashes, which could provide a lifeline to struggling debtors, desperate to escape from their worsening debt cycles. In talks with the Thai Bankers’ Association (TBA) and other related groups, the central bank is exploring various methods to curb the nation’s escalating household debt. According to the…
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Minor Food Group launches new Chinese restaurant in Bangkok
Spurred by the recent rise in popularity of Chinese cuisine, Minor Food Group Plc debuted its first Riverside Grilled Fish & Mala restaurant in the heart of Bangkok today. Thunyachate Ekvetchavit, occupying the role of the top-ranking executive in the company, announced a 10-12 million baht budget allocation for the inauguration of the first branch of the renowned dining venue.…
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Thai political truce sparks hopeful business and economic recovery prospects
Thailand‘s business leaders anticipate a more positive path for the Move Forward Party (MFP) and its seven ally political parties to constitute a government and address economic challenges, following the agreement on a House speaker. The MFP had earlier been engaged in disputes with the Pheu Thai Party over this significant role in the House of Representatives. The conflict was resolved…
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Thai tourism unaffected by political unrest unless airports shut, says ex-minister
In times of political upheaval, Thailand’s foreign tourists would not be significantly impacted, unless there was an incident akin to 2008’s airport disruption, according to former tourism and sports minister, Weerasak Kowsurat. Back in 2008, protesters had shut down Bangkok’s airports leading to a drop in tourist visits, impacting Thai tourism. Weerasak, now serving as a senator, insists that tourists…
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Export growth remains uncertain amid high global interest rates in Thailand
In a recent development, the Thai National Shippers’ Council (TNSC) has adjusted its export growth outlook to fall between a negative 0.5% and a positive 1%. This stark revision from the previously projected 0 to 1% growth range primarily attributes to looming global uncertainties, particularly concerning key trading counterparts in the US, the EU, and China. High international interest rates…
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EV Market soars as Thailand and Indonesia take the lead in Asia
In a global trend, electric vehicles (EVs) are steadily gaining traction in the worldwide automobile market, with significant growth realised in Asia-ASEAN countries, specifically Thailand and Indonesia. This comes as per a study undertaken by the BloombergNEF research agency. Ideally placed at the forefront of Asia-Pacific transportation, Senior Analyst of BloombergNEF, Allen Tom Abraham, projected a sharp increase in the…
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LGBTQ+ tourism revenue boom fuels drive for legalised same-sex marriage in Thailand
Thailand is witnessing a surge in the burgeoning LGBTQ+ community, as diversity takes centre stage worldwide, boosting LGBTQ+ tourism in the country. As per estimates by LGBT Capital, an asset management company serving the LGBTQ community, 5 to 10% of the world’s population identifies as LGBTQ+. This demographic represented around 3.6 million residents in Thailand in 2019. During Pride Month…
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Customs facilitation reform urged by Thailand’s finance minister to boost automotive sector
Finance Minister Arkhom Termpittayapaisith recently issued an appeal to the Customs Department of Thailand to streamline the customs facilitation formalities for both exports and imports. His appeal is aimed especially at boosting the activity of the automotive field. Following a discussion held with a group of investors from Japan in the core of June, Arkhom instructed the department to better…
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Airport capacity at Suvarnabhumi to increase with new terminal and tech upgrades
Influential airport operator, Airports of Thailand (AoT), is set to inaugurate a new satellite passenger terminal at the famed Suvarnabhumi Airport come this September. This addition is expected to bolster the airport’s passenger handling capacity significantly, managing an impressive 15 million extra passengers annually, which effectively raises the total capacity to a staggering 60 million per annum, revealed AoT’s president.…
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