Economy News
Thailand economy news, business updates, financial markets, and government policies—stay informed on economic developments shaping the nation. Get the latest from The Thaiger, your trusted source for Thailand economic news.
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Commerce captain charts cost of living course: Cost-cutting and export-boosting ahoy
New Commerce Minister Phumtham Wechayachai aims to address the cost of living and align product prices with production costs. He plans to expedite efforts to discover new export markets and enhance Thai shipping opportunities through increased trade negotiations. On his first day, Wechayachai emphasized his commitment to Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin‘s policies and assured prompt attention to public concerns, especially…
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Bangkok’s condo market: Buyers rush for ‘ready-to-move’ amid sales slump
The second quarter of this year witnessed a significant slump in sales for newly launched condominiums in Bangkok. Buyers, gripped by mortgage rejection fears, exhibited a strong preference for ready-to-transfer units. Tritecha Tangmatitham, Managing Director at Supalai, highlighted that a staggering 70% of condo sales in the current year have been for completed units, underscoring a marked shift in consumer…
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Recruitment adventures: When job hunting in Thailand feels like a blind date
Navigating the waters of a job interview can often feel akin to treading the unpredictable path of a blind date. The entire process can be punctuated by uncertainty, ambiguity, and occasionally, a lack of respect and courtesy from the hiring party. An interviewee’s experience can be marred by a lack of information about the interview process: from the number of…
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Ticket turbulence: Thai airlines aim to price things right amid rising costs
Thai airlines plan to explain the accusations of raising ticket prices amid higher jet fuel costs. The Airlines Association of Thailand (AAT) announced it will host a seminar to clarify airfare structures and CAAT price regulations following consumer complaints. Nok Air CEO Wutthiphum Jurangkool stated that price increases mainly occurred during extended holidays due to high demand, impacting last-minute bookings.…
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Baht-ing for growth: Pheu Thai Party’s digital policy to boost Thai economy
The 10,000-baht digital currency policy handout by Pheu Thai is expected to inject an estimated 2 trillion baht into the country’s economy, according to Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat. This initiative aims to contribute to a growth of at least 5% in the GDP by 2024. Julapun Amornvivat stated that the economy would get a boost from the widespread use…
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Cash crackdown: Thai government’s e-payment pledge to curb corruption
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin revealed yesterday that the Thai government is set to implement e-payments across the state sector as a pivotal strategy to tackle the rampant issue of corruption. The announcement was made at an Anti-Corruption Day event organised by the Anti-Corruption Organization of Thailand (ACT), which the prime minister chaired. This event marked Srettha’s first public forum since…
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Diesel dreams: Government plans 2-baht tax cut to fuel price drop below 30 baht per litre
The Excise Department is preparing a proposal to reduce diesel tax by 2 baht per litre and aiming to lower the retail price of diesel to less than 30 baht per litre according to the newly formed government. The proposal is in the pipeline following Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin’s announcement to slash the retail price of diesel to 30 baht…
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Thai-dal wave: Taiwanese electronics firms spark 30 billion baht boom in Thailand
The electronics industry of Thailand is set to experience significant growth as 20 new investments, amounting to 30 billion baht, have been approved by the Board of Investment (BoI). These investments are from Taiwan-based electronics firms that have shown intent to establish Thailand as their new export base. The BoI indicated that this move is particularly noteworthy for manufacturers of…
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Thailand’s DES minister vows to combat online scams, roll out digital wallet
The new Digital Economy and Society (DES) Minister Prasert stated that he is prioritising combating online fraud and call centre scams, as well as launching the much-discussed digital wallet plan. The ministry, aligned with Pheu Thai Party goals, plans a digital wallet scheme by 2024, starting next year, offering 10,000 baht to all Thai individuals aged 16 and above via…
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Climate change hits Thai economy, calls for smart agriculture surge
The economy has been negatively impacted due to the challenges presented by climate change, leading to a decrease in farmers’ income because of reduced production, and affecting foreign investment. This has subsequently resulted in higher inflation and cost of living and impacted the export of agricultural products and food. This insight is according to a recent study conducted by the…
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Line Man Wongnai and Line Thailand tap into booming Thai e-payment market
Tech giants Line Man Wongnai and Line Thailand recently revealed plans to expand their businesses by capitalising on the rising e-payment market within their business ecosystem. They officially announced last month their successful joint acquisition of shares in Rabbit Line Pay Co (RLP) from previous shareholders, RabbitPay System Co and Advanced mPAY Co. This crucial transaction has allowed Line Man…
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Foot Locker kicks off its Thai journey, stepping into youth-driven sneaker scene
Foot Locker, the renowned speciality athletic retailer based in New York, launched its first store in Thailand, targeting the youth demographic and aiming to invigorate the sports shoe/sneaker market. The announcement came from Deepak Tomar, country general manager and director of MAP Active Adiperkasa, the official licensee for Foot Locker in Thailand, who revealed the store’s opening in the Siam…
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Chery’s EV dreams charge ahead in Thailand: BoI blessings pending
China‘s Chery International, through its subsidiary Omoda & Jaecoo International Co, intends to establish an electric vehicle (EV) production facility in Thailand, pending Board of Investment (BoI) privileges. Qi Jie, Thailand’s national director at Omoda & Jaecoo International, will unveil detailed investment and business plans in the coming months. Chery, one of China’s top vehicle manufacturers, plans to introduce two…
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Bangkok’s multinational ambitions drive forward: BMA seeks government support
The drive to establish Bangkok as a multinational hub has gained momentum, with the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) expressing intent to garner government backing for the initiative. Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt, yesterday, announced the intent to align the BMA’s policy with that of the government to stimulate the city’s economy and job creation. In a press briefing, Chadchart illustrated the…
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New Thai Cabinet prioritises economic recovery, property and tourism sectors
The newly confirmed Cabinet, featuring many Pheu Thai Party members, is focusing on economic recovery matters and pledged to reduce energy costs to ease financial burdens. Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin engaged with various business sectors but concerns about potential bias make it unlikely that the property sector will receive preferential treatment. Tritecha Tangmatitham, MD of SET-listed developer Supalai, believes the…
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Government economy plan: Cost of living cuts, fuel and electricity price adjustments
The government plans to announce initiatives to reduce living costs and boost the economy in an upcoming Cabinet meeting. Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat revealed these measures would involve changes to diesel and electricity prices. A reduction in diesel excise tax is under consideration to lower retail prices at the pump and help the economy. A potential freeze on government…
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Pheu Thai Party’s digital handout scheme could boost Thailand’s GDP by 3%
The Pheu Thai Party‘s proposed digital handout scheme, requiring around 500 billion baht, could potentially boost Thailand’s GDP growth by 3% in the next year, according to the Bank of Thailand. Sakkapop Panyanukul, the central bank‘s director of the economic and policy department, mentioned the digital handout contribution depends on the economic multiplier. The 3% GDP projection uses a cash…
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Power play: FTI cheers new government’s energy cost pledge
The Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) expressed its satisfaction with the newly elected government’s commitment to lowering energy costs and retail diesel prices. Newly inaugurated Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has prioritised energy price reductions as an early objective of his administration. An immediate cut in energy prices has been promised by the 61 year old Srettha and his Cabinet upon…
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Rice and shine: Thailand sets sights on 8 million tonnes export mark
The director-general of the Department of Foreign Trade, Ronnarong Phoolpipat, announced that Thailand’s rice exports are expected to achieve the target of 8 million tonnes this year. This forecast comes after the recorded shipments through to August 29 reached 5.29 million tonnes, reflecting a year-on-year increase of 11.9%. This upswing in rice exports aligns with the rising concerns over drought…
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Grain gain: Thailand’s rice exports sprout an impressive 12% surge
The Commerce Ministry reported a significant increase in Thailand’s rice exports. Data reveals an 11.91% rise in exports from January to August 29, compared to the same duration last year. During this period, Thailand managed to export a hefty 5.29 million metric tonnes of rice. Despite the impressive rice export figures, the agricultural sector in Southeast Asia has been grappling…
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Thai fortune teller envisions political and economic upswing in Thailand
A shift in Thailand’s political and economic landscape is anticipated, with improvements expected from November to April, according to renowned fortune teller Navaracha Pinitlokakorn, also known as Mor Plai. Despite her failed prediction regarding the identity of Thailand’s new prime minister, she views this as a fortunate turn of events. She advised patience and granting the new PM the opportunity…
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Thai tourism faces strain from sluggish Chinese, Japanese economies
Tourism operators in Thailand are facing significant challenges due to the sluggish economies of China and Japan and an uneven recovery in Thai tourism that benefits larger operators. A recent survey by the Thai Hotels Association (THA) and the Bank of Thailand revealed that 29% of three-star or lower-rated hotels have been severely impacted by interest rate hikes and may…
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Gold prices see slight lift, gold ornaments trading at 32,500 baht
Gold prices surged today as the Gold Traders Association revised rates upwards. This comparison is made to the end prices of August 28, when gold ornaments were selling at 32,500 baht per baht weight. Today, the price was revised upwards by 100 baht, compared to the closing price of August 28. The price of gold ornaments moved to 32,500 baht…
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Thailand’s Q2 economic recovery slows, full-year 2023 growth forecast revised
Thailand’s second quarter of 2023 saw a slowdown in economic recovery, with GDP growth falling from 2.6% year-on-year in the first quarter to 1.8%, as reported by the National Economic and Social Development Council on August 21. The figures fell significantly short of consensus estimates of 3.1% and growth projections of 2.9%. The economy’s quarter-on-quarter growth was a mere 0.2%,…
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Indonesia unveils three month plan to boost trade and cultural ties with Thailand
Indonesia kickstarted a three month long series of activities in Thailand, aimed at bolstering trade, cultural ties, and tourism, and enhancing people-to-people diplomacy. Announced at the Indonesia Fair: Know Indonesia Better event, Ambassador Rachmat Budiman revealed the comprehensive plan, curated by the Indonesian Embassy in Bangkok. The event which took place over the weekend at the Central Court in Central…
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Thai exports suffer 10th month of decline amid global economic challenges
In July, Thai exports decreased more than anticipated for the 10th successive month. The drop is primarily due to a decline in global commodity prices since their peak in the early months of the Russia-Ukraine conflict last year. High interest rates and stringent lending conditions, compounded by weak global demand, have led to a slowdown in consumer spending, explained Keerati…
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Pheu Thai leadership welcomed by tourism operators
The Pheu Thai political party’s potential leadership of the Tourism and Sports Ministry has been warmly welcomed by tourism operators. This development arises from growing speculation around the formation of the new Cabinet. Numerous news outlets suggest that the ministry might transition from the Bhumjaithai Party to Pheu Thai. Adith Chairattananon, the honorary secretary-general of the Association of Thai Travel…
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Thai economic recovery slower than expected, Bank of Thailand governor confirms
Economic recovery in Thailand is underway but progress is slower than anticipated, particularly in the areas of tourism and exports, according to Sethaput Suthiwartnarueput, governor of the Bank of Thailand (BoT). In a recent business seminar, Sethaput expressed concerns over a less-than-rosy picture of the nation’s economy, with exports and tourism spending falling short of expectations. Despite these challenges, he…
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Srettha Thavisin urged to address economic challenges swiftly
Thailand’s political stalemate came to a close yesterday as property tycoon Srettha Thavisin was elected as the country’s 30th prime minister following a majority vote in both houses of Parliament. Now, the nation’s business community is urging the newly appointed leader to hasten the process of organising his government. The aim is to promptly address a sequence of pressing challenges…
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Domestic tourism in Thailand hits 93% recovery
Thailand’s domestic tourism sector has seen a significant recovery, reaching 93% of its pre Covid-19 levels, according to the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT). The TAT expects to record approximately 160 million domestic trips in the country this year, a sharp contrast to the dismal figures witnessed at the onset of the pandemic in 2019. At a press conference, Suladda…
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