China
- Thailand News
China approves three more Thai poultry plants for export
Thailand’s Department of Livestock Development announced that the General Administration of Customs of China (GACC) recently approved and registered three additional Thai poultry processing and production facilities for export. This approval brings the total number of certified Thai poultry plants exporting to China to 26. The continuous approval of Thai poultry export facilities by China reflects confidence in Thailand’s stringent…
- Business News
Thailand’s economy feels the squeeze as Q3 wraps up
Thailand’s economy is under severe strain, grappling with both internal and external pressures as the end of the third quarter looms. The kingdom is fighting to stabilise its financial footing while China, a vital trading partner, wrestles with its economic troubles. The Thai baht took a hit earlier this month, mirroring the ongoing turmoil in the world’s second-largest economy. The…
- China News
China: Wealthy woman’s traffic tantrum leaves soldier hospitalised (video)
A shocking road rage incident in Qingdao, eastern China, left social media in uproar after a wealthy woman, driving a luxury SUV, violently attacked a former soldier. The drama unfolded on August 28, when the 38 year old woman, surnamed Wang, attempted to recklessly reverse her Land Rover into oncoming traffic, causing chaos on the road. After multiple failed attempts…
- China News
Woman fined 10,000 baht for sweat stains on wedding dress
A woman from Shandong, China, faced a fine of 2,000 yuan (approximately 10,000 baht, US$300) from a wedding dress shop after trying on a gown and leaving sweat stains. The incident sparked a heated debate online, with netizens largely unsupportive of her stance. The woman, who is planning to get married next year, visited a renowned local bridal shop to…
- Thailand News
Prawn stars: China approves import of live Thai giant shrimps
China has approved the import of live Thai giant freshwater prawns, a significant boost for Thai farmers and the local economy. Thailand aims to enhance production and export efficiency to meet the increasing demand from international markets. The Department of Fisheries, led by Director-General Bancha Sukkaew, announced efforts to promote and improve the farming of giant freshwater prawns, a crucial…
- Business News
Thailand’s trade deficit with China rises 15.7% to US$20 billion
Thailand’s Trade Policy and Strategy Office (TPSO) raised alarms about the expanding trade deficit with China. Imports from China surged by 7.12% year-on-year in the first half of 2024, reaching US$37.6 billion (approximately 1.33 trillion baht). This spike resulted in a trade deficit of US$20 billion (around 720 billion baht), marking a 15.7% increase compared to the previous year. Smartphones,…
- Thailand News
Pattaya City officials invited to China’s Hunan for strengthened ties
Pattaya City officials received a visit from the Vice Governor of Hunan province in China, accompanied by a delegation. They extended an invitation for Pattaya officials to visit Hunan province, aiming to enhance friendship and mutual understanding between Thai and Chinese communities. The initiative seeks to promote shared prosperity through cooperation in economics, trade, tourism, science and technology, culture, education,…
- Automotive
How to succeed in Thailand’s automotive market: Insights from SMM’s industry event
As one of the largest manufacturers in Southeast Asia, Thailand’s automotive industry boasts impressive growth opportunities, particularly in the electric vehicle (EV) sector. In addition to its geographical location, competitive labour costs, well-developed infrastructure, and supportive business environment, the country also has a pro-investment government. Take, for example, the incentives for joint ventures between Thai and foreign companies to manufacture…
- China News
Mother pays for daughter’s haircutting antics in Chinese salon
A mother in China faced an unexpected expense when her young daughter cut another customer’s hair at a hair salon, resulting in a hefty compensation fee. The incident occurred at a hair salon in Guangdong province, China. A mother brought her young daughter along to the salon and while the mother was waiting for her turn, chaos suddenly erupted. Her…
- Business News
Thailand poised to profit amid US-China trade war
Thailand might be about to cash in on the US-China trade war. According to the Office of Industrial Economics (OIE), the ongoing clash between Washington and Beijing could see a major boost in Thai exports as American buyers look to replace Chinese shipments that are in jeopardy. OIE Director-General Warawan Chitaroon stated that Thailand is a key manufacturing nation in…
- Tourism News
Thailand’s tourism boom: Revenue set to soar to 2.8 trillion baht
Hold onto your sun hats! Thailand’s tourism sector is on the brink of a massive surge in the latter half of the year, with an eye-popping revenue forecast of 1.46 trillion baht. That’s set to push the annual total to a whopping 2.8 trillion baht—up a staggering 25% from last year, according to the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT). The…
- Thailand News
Cotti Coffee gains ground in Thailand with affordable menu
Cotti Coffee, a popular Chinese coffee franchise, is making waves in Thailand with its affordable menu starting at just 55 baht. The franchise currently operates eight branches in Bangkok, contributing to the growing presence of Chinese brands in the country. Chinese products are becoming increasingly common in major Thai cities, with a variety of items such as clothing, food, and…
- Thailand News
Thailand, China boost trade alliance amid investment opportunities
Thailand and China have engaged in discussions to enhance trade cooperation, focusing on expanding the market for Thai livestock products and fruits in China, while also welcoming Chinese investment in emerging industries within Thailand’s Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC). Deputy Commerce Minister Suchart Chomklin, appointed by Commerce Minister Phumtham Wechayachai, participated in the third meeting of the Sub-Committee on Trade and…
- Thailand News
China supports Thailand in combating dubious businesses
Chinese Ambassador Han Zhiqiang reaffirmed Beijing’s commitment to supporting Thailand in cracking down on dubious Chinese businesses, while also aiming to enhance bilateral trade and relations. Han made these comments during a seminar held on Tuesday, July 23, to commemorate the 49th anniversary of diplomatic ties between China and Thailand. A recent incident involving a Chinese-language billboard in Bangkok’s Huai…
- Thailand News
Thai AirAsia expands routes to India amid slow China recovery
Thai AirAsia is set to expand its network by launching new routes to India and Southeast Asia in the second half of the year, aiming to compensate for the slow recovery of flights to China. The sluggish Chinese economy and increased competition from domestic travel have significantly impacted this recovery. Tansita Akrarittipirom, head of commercial at Thai AirAsia, revealed that…
- Thailand News
Sky-high tourism boom: Thai-Chinese flights to double
Aeronautical Radio of Thailand Co Ltd (Aerothai) announced a dramatic increase in flights between Thailand and China. The number of annual flights is expected to double from under 100,000 to a staggering 200,000, thanks to a new mutual permanent visa waiver policy. The policy, which began in March, allows Chinese and Thai passport holders to enjoy visa-free holidays and transits…
- Thailand News
Foreign minister: China’s banking giant to boost tech investment
Thailand’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Maris Sangiampongsa met with Ge Haijiao, Chairman of the Bank of China, on Wednesday, July 10, during his official visit to China. The meeting, held to bolster Thai-Chinese economic ties, saw the presence of Pongsarun Assawachaisophon, Deputy Secretary-General to the prime minister. In a strategic pitch, Maris extended an invitation to the Bank of China to…
- Thailand News
GMM strikes a chord with Tencent, plans IPO crescendo
Thailand’s largest music company, GMM Music, is gearing up for an initial public offering (IPO) as early as this year, thanks to a significant equity investment from China’s Tencent Holdings. GMM Music’s Chief Marketing Officer Fahmai Damrongchaitham revealed in a candid interview with Bloomberg Television that the company is aiming for an IPO as soon as possible, depending on the…
- Environment News
China leads renewable energy efforts with wind and solar power
China is leading the global surge in renewable energy construction, with nearly two-thirds of the world’s large-scale wind and solar projects currently being built within its borders, as indicated by a recent report from Global Energy Monitor (GEM). China is constructing 339 gigawatts (GW) of utility-scale wind and solar power, representing 64% of the global total, according to the US-based…
- Thailand News
Chinese foreign minister calls for ASEAN regional cooperation
During a meeting between the Thai and Chinese foreign ministers to discuss the consultation mechanisms between the two nations, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi emphasised the importance of upholding the ASEAN-centered East Asian regional cooperation framework and rejecting exclusive small circles. Wang and Thai Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa co-chaired the second meeting between the foreign ministers. This two-day visit marked…
- Thailand News
Foreign Affairs Minister Maris to visit China for pivotal talks
Foreign Affairs Minister Maris Sangiampongsa is set to visit China next week at the invitation of Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi. The visit, scheduled from Monday, July 8 to Wednesday, July 10, will see Maris and Wang co-chair the second Thailand-China Foreign Affairs Ministerial Meeting, aiming to strengthen cooperation and support between the two nations. Nikorndej Balankura, a spokesperson for…
- Business News
US economy thrives in 2024, China faces challenges
The US economy has been robust throughout 2024, buoyed by strong consumer spending, fiscal stimulus, and a thriving labour market. In contrast, Europe and Asia, particularly China, have faced economic challenges, with China’s real estate market issues impacting its overall economic performance. However, there are optimistic signs for the remainder of 2024 and into 2025. China’s leadership is beginning to…
- Thailand News
Thailand’s durian diplomacy: Cracking the chinese market wide open
Thailand is going all out to secure its crown in the lucrative Chinese durian market. The government has rolled out a series of innovative strategies, including high-tech farming enhancements and stringent quality controls, to ensure Thailand remains the top durian supplier to China. Prime Minister’s Office spokesman Chai Wacharonke announced at a press conference that Thailand has significantly bolstered its…
- Thailand News
Malaysia and China join forces on billion-dollar rail project
China’s plans to extend the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) into Thailand are set to transform Southeast Asian trade. Chinese Premier Li Qiang announced the initiative during his visit to Malaysia yesterday. The US$10 billion (approximately 366 billion baht) ECRL, a key project of China’s Belt and Road Initiative, aims to connect Malaysia’s east and west coasts by 2026. Initially…
- Thailand News
Thailand strikes new submarine deal with China
Thailand and China finally wrapped up negotiations on the Royal Thai Navy’s (RTN) much-anticipated purchase of a Chinese-made S26T Yuan-class submarine. RTN Commander-in-Chief Admiral Adoong Pan-iam announced today that the agreement is now awaiting the final nod from the Thai Cabinet. “If approved, we will promptly amend the deal with the Chinese manufacturer.” Admiral Adoong expects the submarine to be…
- Thailand News
Thailand and China forge stronger ties ahead of anniversary
In a high-profile meeting at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Maris Sangiampongsa, Minister of Foreign Affairs, representing the Thai prime minister, engaged in crucial talks with Shohrat Zakir, Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress of China. The discussions focused on reinforcing the robust relationship between Thailand and China as the two nations approach the 50th…
- Thailand News
Thailand seeks BRICS membership for global influence
Thailand set its sights on joining the intergovernmental organisation BRICS, which is expanding beyond its original membership of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. The Thai Cabinet approved a draft of the official letter indicating Thailand’s intention to join the group, according to government spokesperson Chai Wacharonke. Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, and the United Arab Emirates became official members of…
- Politics News
China’s military drills around Taiwan, ‘punishment’ for new president
China’s military announced today that it has started two days of military exercises encircling Taiwan, calling the drills a ‘strong punishment’ against the island’s new president and a ‘stern warning’ against outside interference. The drills follow the inauguration of Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te on Monday, whom Beijing has condemned as a separatist. According to China’s Eastern Theater Command overseeing the…
- Business News
Tipco Asphalt profits plummet 99% due to delays
Tipco Asphalt Plc (Tasco), listed on the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET), faced a challenging first quarter with reduced earnings and profits due to delays in state budget spending and low global asphalt prices. Despite this, the company remains optimistic about returning to normal growth levels within the year. The company reported a significant revenue drop of 37%, falling to…
- China News
Flushed frustration: Sacked employee in bathroom break battle
A Chinese company employee, dismissed for excessively long bathroom breaks during work hours, sued his employer for compensation but faced counter-evidence. The employee, from Nantong in Jiangsu province, demanded 200,000 yuan (approximately 1 million baht) for what he claimed was an illegal termination. As an employee at an electrical circuit company since June 2015, Liu has been responsible for inspecting…
