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 Getting sick or injured during Songkran? Here’s what to do (and how to avoid paying out of pocket)
Songkran, Thailand’s New Year festival from April 13 to 15, is full of fun, water fights, and cultural events. But it’s also a time when accidents and health problems increase, especially on the roads during Songkran. For travellers in Thailand,...
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EC Markets renews strategic partnership with world’s leading snooker player Judd Trump
EC Markets, a globally renowned multi-regulated CFD trading firm, is proud to announce the renewal of its exclusive FX partnership with Judd Trump, the preeminent figure in the world of snooker. This strategic collaboration underscores EC Markets’ steadfast commitment to excellence, innovation, and global expansion, aligning its brand with one of the most celebrated and influential athletes in contemporary sports.…
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Trump’s ‘Gold Card’ visa: A potential game-changer?
United States President Donald Trump has always sparked debate, and his recent proposal of a “gold card” visa is no different. This plan aims to create a new pathway to U.S. citizenship. The heart of the proposal is a $5 million investment in exchange for a visa, which could potentially change the landscape of U.S. immigration. The gold card visa…
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Challenges and innovations in Thailand’s education sector
Imagine sitting in a classroom where you’re expected to memorise entire textbooks, word for word. No critical thinking, no creativity—just pure repetition. Even if it sounds boring and frustrating! But you will be shocked when I tell you that that’s been the reality for many Thai students for years. But here’s the twist: education in Thailand is undergoing a major…
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Most watched sports in Thailand
While Thailand may be best known for the likes of its rich cultural heritage, stunning views, and warm hospitality, it also has a thriving sports scene. There is a deep passion for traditional sports, such as Muay Thai, but there is increasing interest in international sports which are now gaining a strong following. Sports fans are now watching, and engaging,…
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AirAsia soars to new heights with record passenger growth in 2024
AirAsia is flying high after recording a surge in passenger numbers throughout 2024, as the budget airline group expanded its fleet to meet booming travel demand. The carrier welcomed over 63 million passengers last year, an 11% increase from 2023, while its load factor climbed to 89%. The final quarter of 2024 was particularly strong, with 16.2 million passengers flying…
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Baht to the future: Thailand exports ready for Trump change
The Export-Import Bank of Thailand is bullish about the country’s export growth this year, buoyed by ripple effects from US President Donald Trump’s trade policies. According to Exim Bank President Rak Vorrakitpokatorn, several global regions, including the EU, South Asia, and Southeast Asia, are ramping up imports in anticipation of Trump’s next moves, especially with uncertainty looming over US imports…
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Nok Air turbulence: Pilot lawsuit leaves airline flying on fumes
Nok Air has come out swinging against allegations that it forced junior pilots to pay for their training as a prerequisite for employment, denying any involvement amidst a high-flying lawsuit. The airline finds itself in hot water after Teerawat Angkasakulkiat, President of the Thai Pilots Association, revealed that 13 pilots have taken legal action against the carrier. Back in 2018,…
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Thailand hotel room rates soar by 15% amid travel demand surge
Hotel room rates in Thailand increased by an average of 15% from 2023, as reported by SiteMinder, an e-commerce platform assisting hotels with direct and third-party bookings. This growth distinguishes Thailand as the only country with double-digit expansion. The Hotel Booking Trends report from SiteMinder, which analysed over 125 million reservations, indicates that the average daily rate (ADR) in Thailand…
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Fuelling the future: PTT Oil shifts gears for a brighter 2025
PTT Oil and Retail Plc (OR) is revving up for a sunnier financial forecast this year, aiming to bounce back after last year’s revenue slip. The secret sauce? A Thailand infused with tourism and investment buzz, according to OR chief Peekthong Thongyai. Thanks to a tourism surge, Thailand’s economic prospects are looking rosier than ever. Back in 2019, the country…
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Full steam ahead: SRT fast-tracks freight boost to cut costs
In a bid to slash transport costs for import and export businesses, the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) is all set to turbocharge freight services between Laem Chabang Port in Chon Buri and Bangkok. SRT Governor Veeris Ammarapala and his team, yesterday, February 12, descended on the deep-sea port and the Inland Container Depot (ICD) in Bangkok’s Lat Krabang district,…
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Comeback call: Thailand’s smartphone market dials up growth
Thailand’s smartphone market powered back to life last year after two years in the doldrums, defying a sluggish economy. Global research giants IDC and Canalys both report an upward swing in sales: from IDC’s impressive 17.1% growth, with 16.9 million units shipped, to Canalys’s solid 7.1% increase, marking 16.4 million units sold. IDC predicts this growth spurt will carry on…
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Single Thais impact wedding industry with shifting social values
A growing number of Thais are opting to stay single, with reasons cited including evolving social values, financial constraints, and mismatched expectations. This trend is impacting businesses associated with romance, such as wedding planners and florists. In 2023, a survey by the National Statistical Office found that one-fifth of Thais were single. Within the reproductive age group of 15 to…
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Google eyes increased investment in Thai government projects
Google has shown interest in increasing its investment in Thai government-related projects, according to the Commerce Minister. During a visit to the United States last week, Minister Pichai Naripthaphan engaged in discussions with Google executives focusing on collaboration in the digital economy, cybersecurity enhancement, and advanced technology investments in Thailand. A major topic was public project investments, with Google particularly…
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Gold prices hit record high amid Trump’s tariff threats
Gold prices reached a new record after US President Donald Trump announced plans to impose tariffs on steel and aluminium imports, creating further uncertainty in global financial markets. The price of bullion surged beyond US$2,895 an ounce following a 2.2% increase last week, driven by heightened demand for safe-haven assets amid the president’s trade threats. Trump indicated on February 9…
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Last call for change: Businesses push to end 2-5pm booze ban
Hotels and businesses selling alcohol have urged the government to abolish the restriction on alcohol sales between 2pm and 5pm. They argue that this regulation is outdated and no longer relevant. This request coincides with the progression of a bill amending the alcohol beverages control law, which is poised to advance to its second and third readings in the House…
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NBTC dials in: Biometric crackdown rings alarm for SIM scammers
The National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) is cracking down on unauthorised SIM cards and online scams with the introduction of stringent biometric authentication for SIM card registration. This move targets dodgy SIM dealers, who now face hefty penalties if caught flouting the rules. These new measures are set to shake up the mobile subscriber landscape in Thailand, where over…
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Trump’s metal meltdown: Steel yourself for the latest tariff tiff
Donald Trump announced his intention to impose a steep 25% tariff on all steel and aluminium imports into the United States, a move that promises to heat up trade tensions and could potentially throw a spanner in the works for America’s key trading relationships. Chatting with reporters aboard Air Force One yesterday, February 9, the US president confirmed that these…
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Thailand leads ASEAN dairy market with 19 billion baht in revenue
Thailand has emerged as a leader in the ASEAN dairy market, generating over 19 billion baht in revenue, according to a government spokesperson. The country’s strategic use of Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) has bolstered exports of processed milk products across ASEAN. Anukool Pruksanusak, deputy spokesperson for the Prime Minister’s Office, reported that Thailand has maintained its top position in ASEAN…
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Stable vision: Binance pushes for baht-backed crypto in Phuket
The Government of Thailand is being urged by Binance’s Thai branch to explore the development of stablecoins tethered to the baht, intended for use within the country and particularly within the proposed Phuket crypto sandbox. Unlike volatile digital assets such as Bitcoin, stablecoins are linked to fiat currencies, offering a more stable alternative. Nirun Fuwattananukul, CEO of Gulf Binance, explained…
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Taxing decisions: Thai businesses brace for higher import duties
Thailand’s business entrepreneurs are leaning towards higher import tariffs should the government forge ahead with its ambitious tax reform plans, according to a fresh poll from the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI). This survey follows hot on the heels of Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira unveiling a set of tax reform proposals designed to swell state coffers, fuel national development, sharpen…
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Tariff-ied: Thai exporters brace for US trade heat
Thai exporters could soon find themselves in hot water, facing increased tariffs from the United States. The Government of Thailand might also be compelled to import more American goods to balance out its trade surplus, warns Burin Adulwattana, the Managing Director and Chief Economist at Kasikorn Research Centre (K-Research). Burin shared that K-Research hasn’t yet drilled down into the possible…
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HKTDC unveils 7 LifeStyle Trade events in April
The Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) will unveil the 7 LifeStyle Trade Events, covering gifts, houseware, fashion, printing and packaging, and licensing from April 27 to 30. With the latest products and trends on display under one roof, the events will feature a selection of lifestyle products and services from around the world, maximising and diversifying buyers’ sourcing in…
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Price hike strikes again: Inflation on a ten-month hot streak
Inflation in January has surged to 1.32%, continuing a relentless ten-month climb, with fuel, food, and beverage costs driving the increase. Poonpong Naiyanapakorn, Trade Policy and Strategy Office (TPSO) chief, disclosed that the consumer price index has jumped by 1.32% compared to the same time last year. It’s the second consecutive month where inflation has breached the 1% mark. A…
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Thai banks to ban mule account transactions next month
The banking sector will introduce a ban on financial transactions involving mule accounts next month, adhering to a directive from the Bank of Thailand. Following a recent meeting of the Joint Standing Committee on Commerce, Industry and Banking, Payong Srivanich, chairman of the Thai Bankers’ Association, announced that banks are upgrading their operational and security systems to block transactions across…
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Exclusive: The strategy behind Stake F1’s Hustlin’ Harder Campaign
The iconic O2 Arena in London set the stage for an extraordinary moment in Formula 1 as the Stake F1 Team KICK Sauber unveiled its 2025 challenger, the C45. Thousands of fans, media representatives, and stakeholders gathered to witness the reveal, which coincided with Formula One’s F175 LIVE celebration marking the sport’s 75th anniversary. With dramatic lighting and an energetic…
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IMPACT invests 5 billion baht to expand MICE hub
IMPACT Exhibition Management Co Ltd is making a bold move to dominate Thailand’s meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions tourism (MICE) industry, investing 5 billion baht in two new hotels to transform Mueang Thong Thani into a world-class event and entertainment hub. The investment, part of a long-term expansion strategy, will position IMPACT as a key player in the government’s proposed…
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Bank of Thailand targets illegal loan apps for removal
The Bank of Thailand (BoT) has identified 10 mobile applications offering personal loans illegally and is taking steps to have them removed from the App Store and Google Play Store. Pirajit Padmasuta, the central bank’s senior director for financial consumer protection and supervision of financial service providers, stated that the regulator initially reported the 10 verified illegal apps, including Fineasy…
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Unregistered hotels could boost tourism revenue to 3.5 trillion baht
Unregistered hotel operators entering the registration system could significantly increase hidden tourism revenues, potentially reaching 3.5 trillion baht if successful, according to the Tourism and Sports Ministry. Tourism and Sports Minister Sorawong Thienthong stated that the annual revenue reported by the ministry is lower than the actual tourism figures due to the extensive informal economy, which includes illegal accommodations and…
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Thailand considers cutting free public lighting to lower power bills
The Provincial Electricity Authority (PEA) stated that discussions among national state agencies are necessary regarding the Energy Ministry‘s proposal to reduce power bills by cutting the government’s free electricity supply to public lighting. Currently, local administrative bodies and departments responsible for highways and rural roads are exempt from paying for public lighting, a cost shouldered by the government amounting to…
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Sky’s the limit: AIS takes off with HOVERAir X1 Pro Max drone
In a daring leap into the skies, Advanced Info Service (AIS) has launched its first drone, the HOVERAir X1 Pro Max, setting its sights on the lucrative drone market. The high-flying gadget is now ready for takeoff at AIS service shops, promising to boost revenue from retail outlets and capture the imaginations of tech enthusiasts and adventurers alike. In a…
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