business
- Business News
Airbnb forecasts fewer bookings and lower daily rates in Q2 compared to last year
Airbnb Inc announced on Tuesday that it anticipates fewer bookings and reduced average daily rates in the second quarter compared to the previous year, resulting in an 11.5% decrease in share value during after-hours trading. US travel companies, which have profited from increased prices and hybrid work, are adjusting their 2023 forecasts as pre-pandemic travel patterns resume and consumers seek…
- Business News
Doi Kham Food Products expands into ice cream market amid declining fruit juice demand
Doi Kham Food Products Co, a Thai manufacturer and distributor of fruit juice and dried fruit has expanded its business to enter Thailand’s 15-billion-baht ice cream market in an effort to counter the ongoing decline in fruit juice demand. Chanannat Polpathapee, the company’s executive vice president for sales and marketing, said the Thai fruit juice market, particularly in the middle…
- Business News
ISS backs ValueAct’s boardroom challenge at Seven & i Holdings
A leading proxy advisory firm, Institutional Shareholder Services (ISS), has supported ValueAct Capital‘s bid to secure positions for its four director nominees on the board of Japanese convenience store operator Seven & i Holdings. ValueAct, which owns 4.4% of Seven & i, has been particularly critical of the company’s conglomerate structure and has recently increased pressure further by publicly demanding…
- Business News
Singapore increases COE quota for categories A and B cars to reduce supply volatility
Singapore’s Land Transport Authority (LTA) has announced that it will increase the Certificates of Entitlement (COE) quota for cars in categories A and B as a one-time adjustment to reduce supply volatility. The quota will rise from 9,575 to 10,431 for the current quarter, with Category A increasing by 24% and Category B increasing by 15%. The LTA will redistribute…
- Business News
Banking job boom and surging salaries in Saudi Arabia
Despite ongoing global financial challenges, Saudi Arabia is experiencing a significant surge in banking jobs and salaries. This growth is attributed to the ambitious economic expansion plans by Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman, who is utilising oil sales revenue to transform the nation’s economy. With over US$600 billion worth of assets, Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund is hiring swiftly, attracting…
- Business News
Thai business leaders’ wishlist for first 100 days under new government
Business executives are contemplating Thailand’s prospects for the first 100 days under a new administration as the election approaches. Key areas of focus for the incoming government include the appointment of suitable ministers and the prioritisation of business sector policies. Jareeporn Jarukornsakul, the 42-year-old chairman of industrial developer WHA Group, emphasises the importance of appointing knowledgeable and capable ministers to…
- Crime News
Woman arrested in Phuket over boyfriend’s drug business
A woman was arrested due to her connections with her boyfriend’s illicit drug business. The Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) of the Royal Thai Police confirmed the arrest of 24 year old Jaruwan Sriwilas in connection with her boyfriend’s illicit drug business. Jaruwan’s boyfriend was discovered one year ago with 4 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine (‘ya ice’), and over 400,000 methamphetamine…
- Business News
Increase in fresh fruit exports to China expected due to improved land transport flow
Exports of fresh fruit to China are expected to surge by at least 10% this year, thanks to improved land transport flow and better cross-border trade facilitation. Commerce Permanent Secretary Keerati Rushchano revealed that land border transportation for fresh fruit is predicted to rise significantly in the coming months, with durian making up about 80-90% of the transported produce. Fresh…
- Business News
Singapore car COE prices to remain high due to limited supply and strong demand
Prices for Singapore’s Certificate of Entitlement (COE) are likely to remain high as demand continues to outstrip limited supply. Despite a dip in premiums for cars after the latest bidding exercise closed on 4 May, it is too early to tell if prices have peaked, said analysts who forecast that COE premiums for cars may rise in the next few…
- Business News
Dexon Technology’s overseas expansion strategy amid global recession forecasts
Despite numerous predictions of a potential global economic recession, Dexon Technology’s chief executive Mallika Kaekla is confident that the company’s strategy to expand overseas will help boost revenue this year. Established in 1996 close to the Map Ta Phut industrial estate in Rayong province, Dexon Technology originally provided engineering inspection services for the energy and petrochemical sectors, ensuring efficiency and…
- Business News
Airbnb reports first annual profit and optimistic outlook for tourism
Airbnb has made a strong recovery in 2022, achieving its first annual profit on a 40% revenue growth to US$8.4 billion, and reporting net income of $1.9 billion. Optimistic about further growth this year fuelled by the tourism industry, the company’s co-founder and chief strategy officer, Nate Blecharczyk, highlights the importance of adapting to changing consumer behaviour. The San Francisco-based…
- Business News
TNSC lowers Thailand’s export growth forecast due to global economic challenges
The Thai National Shippers’ Council (TNSC) has revised its export growth forecast for Thailand, predicting a 0-1% increase due to negative factors and uncertainty in the US and Chinese economies, as well as ongoing geopolitical conflicts. Despite the downward revision, the group remains confident that Thailand’s exports will not contract this year. Chaichan Chareonsuk, chairman of the TNSC, stated that…
- Business News
US Federal Reserve considers final interest rate hike to tackle inflation
The US Federal Reserve has commenced a two-day meeting to determine if it will raise its benchmark lending rate for possibly the last time in this campaign, in an effort to tackle persistent inflation. Since March of last year, the Fed has embarked on a bold series of interest-rate hikes to address inflation, which currently stands at 5%, significantly higher…
- Business News
AMD shares fall as second-quarter forecast misses expectations
Shares of Advanced Micro Devices experienced a decline yesterday following a second-quarter forecast that failed to meet Wall Street expectations. This overshadowed the company executives’ optimism that the beleaguered chip market will begin to recover in the latter half of 2023. After AMD announced first-quarter sales below analyst predictions for PC and data centre chips, their two most significant segments,…
- Business News
Keppel Corp announces major restructuring and growth plans
Singapore‘s Keppel Corp, a former conglomerate with operations in a variety of sectors including data centres and renewable energy assets, unveiled a significant corporate restructuring plan today. The reorganisation will see the company divided into three distinct units – fund management, investment, and operating platforms, aiming to simplify and foster growth. The fund management arm will concentrate on raising funds,…
- Business News
Starbucks profits boosted by China business recovery
Starbucks Corp exceeded Wall Street predictions yesterday for quarterly earnings, primarily due to a strong recovery in business within China. However, shares dropped approximately 6% in after-hours trading, as the company did not raise its 2023 guidance. Consumer mobility and spending in China have significantly improved since most of the country’s COVID-19 restrictions have been lifted. Despite a 29% drop…
- Business News
Match Group forecasts lower Q2 revenue but sees Tinder growth signs
Match Group recently projected second-quarter revenue below analysts’ expectations, yet indicated signs of potential growth at its dating platform, Tinder. The company implemented changes to product and marketing execution at Tinder and, although not yet evident in financial results, has observed early indications of increased momentum, according to a letter to shareholders. Following the announcement, the firm’s stock, whose revenue…
- Business News
MGM Resorts set sights on Thailand that could help attract more tourists
Thailand, which has notoriously steered away from gambling, has started to make moves towards legalising casinos – with the hope that it could put them up there with other famous gambling destinations and attract more tourists to the country. In the past few months, lawmakers in the country have approved a report, meaning that there is a very real possibility…
- Thailand News
Thailand’s top 10 most expensive condos
Thailand is home to 15 condominium projects selling condo units for more than 50 million baht each, according to the Agency for Real Estate Affairs (AREA). Matichon reports that the President of AREA’s Thai Real Estate Research and Valuation Information Centre, Sophon Pornchokchai, revealed on Tuesday that the most expensive condominium unit in Thailand is worth a whopping 887.2 million…
- Business News
Thailand woos crypto companies with tax waiver
Thailand‘s Cabinet approved a tax waiver for cryptocurrency firms yesterday. The Cabinet decided that companies raising funds by issuing digital tokens for investment are exempt from paying corporate income tax and value-added tax (VAT), according to a government spokesperson. Once the new tax waiver is implemented, crypto companies can issue investment tokens in Thailand without any tax on primary or secondary…
- Business News
Foreigners invest 5 billion baht in Thailand in January 2023
In the first month of 2023, foreign investment in Thailand amounted to 5.129 billion baht, the biggest investors being the Japanese, investing 3.588 billion baht. Foreign investment is expected to reach 100 billion baht by the end of the year. Today, Deputy Minister of Commerce Sinit Lertkrai revealed 52 cases of foreign investment in January under the Foreign Business Act…
- Thailand News
Thai farmer makes 1 million baht per month selling buffalo semen
A farmer in Kalasin province in northeast Thailand makes 1 million baht every month by selling semen from one special water buffalo named “Big Billion.” Water buffalo (“kwai” in Thai language) breeders all around the kingdom pay high prices for the semen of Big Billion, a ‘textbook’ Thai water buffalo worth 30 million baht. Breeders use Big Billion’s seed to…
- Thailand News
PM Prayut proud of Thailand’s pineapples
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha‘s face lit up with joy when he heard that Thailand is the biggest exporter of canned pineapple in the world, according to government spokesperson Anucha Burapachaisri. PM Prayut was “delighted” when the Agriculture Ministry informed him that Thailand holds a 32% share in the global canned pineapple market – the biggest in the world – valued…
- World News
Starbucks makes its Laos debut with unique local touches
Starbucks today made its debut in Laos, the nation’s first store. The coffee shop opened in the Lao capital of Vientiane at Parkson Mall, an office and shopping development in the heart of the city. The new Starbucks hopes to contribute to Laos’ thriving coffee culture. The store’s architecture is uniquely Laotian, there is a handcrafted, textured door handle. The…
- Phuket News
Seminar on business and human rights held in Phuket
Thai officials held a seminar in Phuket on Monday about the importance of human rights in business. The National Human Rights Commissioner of Thailand, Pitikan Sithidejheld, lead the seminar at the Royal Phuket City Hotel in the main city district. The event was titled “Seminar to Promote Business and Human Rights for Business Operations in Phuket Area.” Phuket’s Vice Governor…
- Thailand News
Russia plans to install facial recognition surveillance technology in Thailand
Russian biometrics company ‘NtechLab’ announced plans to “enter the Thai market.” The company produces a facial recognition tool called ‘FindFace,’ which can be used to identify suspected criminals. The company is also considering moving its Asia headquarters to Thailand. The company claims that 23 countries worldwide are already using FindFace surveillance technology, sparking privacy and human rights concerns among the…
- Thailand News
Thai Airways sells five Airbus A340s stored away for 13 years
Thai Airways (THAI) has found a buyer for five dusty Airbus A340s which have gone unused for 13 years. Thailand’s flag carrier has sold one A340-500 and four A340-600 planes for a total of 350 million baht. The transaction is sure to help THAI on its road to financial recovery since the Bankruptcy Court approved a debt restructuring plan for…
- Crime News
UPDATE: Fraudulent Japanese restaurant owner denied bail
UPDATE: Fraudulent Japanese restaurant owner denied bail The court denied the owner of Daruma Sushi’s request for bail this afternoon after he was arrested by police at Suvarnabhumi Airport yesterday. Police say “Metha” has caused millions of baht in damages and has countless allegations against him. The 39 year old owner of Daruma Sushi – Metha Chalingsook – got into…
- Crime News
UPDATE: Police arrest fraudulent Japanese restaurant owner at Suvarnabhumi Airport
UPDATE: Police arrest fraudulent Japanese restaurant owner at Suvarnabhumi Airport Today, Thailand’s Central Investigation Bureau arrested the fraudulent owner of Daruma Sushi, a famous Japanese restaurant chain, at Suvarnabhumi Airport. “Metha” returned to Thailand today having fled to Dubai in the UAE on June 16, after he received over 500 complaints from unhappy customers and staff. Police said Metha caused…
- Crime News
Japanese restaurant owner makes slippery getaway
The owner of a popular Japanese buffet restaurant, Daruma Sushi, made a slippery getaway from Thailand last week leaving a trail of chaos behind and complaints from over 500 people. A number of those people had lodged fraudulent complaints against the owner with the police and the consumer protection agency. The owner disappeared a day before he closed all 27…
- World News
Indonesia opens office doors to remote workers with 5 year visa offer
Temping tourists to travel to Indonesia shouldn’t be a difficult task. After all, the largest archipelago in the world is rich with cultural gems, stunning beaches, and every kind of natural beauty. But the Indonesian government has decided against taking the scenic route, instead they are tempting the business community with an appetising 5 year visa. The nation’s Tourism Minister,…
- World News
AirAsia launched a “super-app” to compete with the likes of Grab
The popular low-cost Malaysian airline, AirAsia, debuted its “super app” for ride-hailing in Thailand today, which provides a variety of services ranging from car rides similar to Grab, and Bolt, to flight reservations and food ordering, in an already booming industry. There are currently 3,000 registered drivers in the Bangkok metropolis, with ambitions to recruit more as tourism slowly picks…
- World News
Kasikornbank bank buys 67% of Indonesian bank, Bank Maspion
One of Thailand’s premier banks, Kasikornbank, has purchased majority shareholding in Indonesian bank, Bank Maspion, for US$220 million. The agreement should be completed by the end of the year, with Kbank owning 67.5% of Maspion shares. Two years ago, rival competitor Bangkok Bank splashed almost US$2.3 billion baht in an Indonesian bank, Bank Permata. Following a plan to spend US$20…
- World News
Saudi deal to inject ‘billions’ into Thai economy
Thailand is to welcome a delegation from oil-rich Saudi Arabia in July which could potentially inject “billions” into the nation’s economy. Board of Trade of Thailand Chairman Sanan Angubolkul yesterday revealed delegations from both the private and public sector of Saudi Arabia are scheduled to visit the kingdom from July 4-7 to discuss trade and investment between the two countries.…
- Business News
Uncertainty hangs over Bangkok-Betong route as Nok Air considers its options
Nok Air’s flights between Bangkok and Betong, in the southernmost province of Yala, could be in jeopardy, as the carrier considers its options. The struggling low-cost airline is incurring financial losses on the Don Mueang to Betong route, according to Nok Air CEO, Wutthiphum Jurangkool. According to a Bangkok Post report, the airline expects losses to reach 40 million baht…
- World News
Thai AirAsia X becomes third airline in Thailand to file for bankruptcy
Thai AirAsia X, the international low-cost carrier under the AirAsia umbrella, has had its bankruptcy claim accepted by a Thai court. This makes it the third airline in Thailand, along with Nok Air and Thai Airways, to file for bankruptcy since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic. TAAX director, Tassapon Bijleveld, says all existing bookings will be honoured, including flights…
- Business News
Thai airlines say recovery being held up by high fuel prices
The head of commercial operations at Thai Lion Air says high oil prices continue to hinder recovery in the aviation sector. Nuntaporn Komonsittivate says that, while tourism is slowly improving since the easing of entry restrictions, airlines are still struggling. “The airline business has grappled with the pandemic for more than 2 years. Oil prices account for 30% of operational…
