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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The Thaiger key takeaways Valid passport, visa documents, health certificate, and vaccination records are essential for immigration and medical care in Thailand. Health insurance that meets visa requirements, like Cigna, provides protection, direct billing, and access to a wide hospital...
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Thai food fight: Restaurant industry left starving as spending drops 40%
Thailand’s restaurant industry is in turmoil, with purchasing power dropping by over 40% in the first quarter of 2025, according to Thanivarn Kulmongkol, President of the Thai Restaurant Association. The sluggish economic recovery and stagnant incomes have left consumers tightening their belts, opting for savings rather than spending, especially ahead of major festivals like Songkran. This downturn is affecting all…
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Counterfeit Thai coconut drinks deceive Chinese consumers
The Department of International Trade Promotion (DITP) in Thailand has reported concerns about the imitation of the Thai coconut drink brand “IF” by a Chinese brand “TF”, widely available on Chinese e-commerce platforms. The imitation products, reportedly identical in packaging and name to the IF brand, are confusing Chinese consumers. Despite their similarities in appearance, the TF brand differs from…
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Thailand pushes forward 1 trillion-baht Land Bridge project
Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit confirmed that Thailand is continuing with the Land Bridge megaproject, designed to connect the Gulf of Thailand with the Andaman Sea, attracting interest from China and Middle Eastern nations. Suriya, who also serves as a deputy prime minister, announced yesterday, March 24, that the government remains steadfast in advancing the 1 trillion-baht initiative. To attract investors,…
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United Nations urges Thailand to collaborate for sustainable future
A United Nations official called on the Government of Thailand, private sector, and communities to collaborate for the nation’s sustainable future. Kanni Wignaraja, Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific at the United Nations Development Programme, highlighted the need for inclusivity in these efforts. During her recent visit to Thailand for the Asia-Pacific Forum on Sustainable Development 2025, held from…
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Blooming brilliant: Thailand rakes in billions from orchid exports
Thailand has once again proven its floral dominance, exporting over 5 billion baht worth of orchids in the last two years alone. With demand for Thai orchids flourishing across the globe, the country has cemented its status as the world’s leading exporter of these beautiful blooms. According to the Department of Business Development (DBD), Thai exports of decorative plants from…
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Tech it to the bank: Thailand’s data boom lures global giants
Thailand is quickly establishing itself as a key player in the global digital landscape, attracting major international data centre investments worth over 100 billion baht. The Board of Investment (BoI) reported that existing giants from the US, China, Japan, and South Korea are eager to expand their operations in the country, which is anticipated to exceed last year’s investment levels.…
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Digital boom: Thailand’s tech economy set for electrifying growth
Thailand’s digital economy is poised to skyrocket this year, with GDP expected to rise by a staggering 7.3% to hit 4.85 trillion baht, according to the Digital Economy and Society (DES) Ministry. This digital surge far exceeds the national GDP growth rate, sitting at 2.8%, totalling 19.2 trillion baht. Digital investment is also on a meteoric rise, predicted to grow…
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Credit crunch: Thai economy faces stormy skies
The Bank of Thailand (BoT) is sounding the alarm over slipping asset quality among wealthier borrowers, echoing a worrying trend seen in middle- and low-income groups as the Thai economy slows to a crawl. Minutes from the recent Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting reveal mounting concerns about loan quality deteriorating across the board. This could lead banks to become even…
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Thailand Post boosts fruit delivery with EMS service
Thailand Post is offering an EMS express delivery service for summer fruits to support farmers and entrepreneurs across the country. Thailand Post Managing Director Danan Suphattrapan stated that the service aims to meet the diverse needs of consumers and businesses, particularly by assisting agricultural producers in distributing their products more efficiently to the market. The EMS express service boasts an…
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Illegal Thai workers send billions home despite crackdowns
Thailand’s workforce abroad is pumping an astonishing 400 billion baht into the economy each year—much of it from illegal workers, according to Labour Minister Pipat Ratchakitprakarn. Despite government crackdowns, the number of undocumented Thai workers overseas remains high, with 382,699 working illegally last year alone. While Thailand sent 92,392 legal workers abroad in 2024, a drop of 11% from 2023…
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Thailand urges Singapore to boost rice and egg imports
Thai Commerce Minister Pichai Naripthaphan has urged Singapore to increase its imports of Thai rice and free-range eggs following the seventh Singapore-Thailand Enhanced Economic Relationship (STEER) meeting. Held on March 14 in Singapore, the meeting was co-chaired by Doctor Tan See Leng, Singapore’s Minister for Manpower and Second Minister for Trade and Industry. The discussions aimed at boosting trade and…
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PM Paetongtarn prepares for Bhutan visit to boost trade
Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra engaged in discussions with Bhutan’s Ambassador to Thailand yesterday, March 14, focusing on preparations for the forthcoming state visit of the King and Queen to Bhutan. This marks Their Majesties’ initial state visit following an invitation from His Majesty Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, King of Bhutan. Paetongtarn held talks with Kinzang Dorji, the Bhutanese Ambassador to…
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Thailand plans 400-baht minimum wage amid SME concerns
Labour Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn says he is dedicated to implementing a nationwide increase in the minimum wage to 400 baht, despite concerns over its effects on small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and inflation. A tripartite wage committee is set to review this proposal tomorrow, March 12. Phiphat addressed a Parliamentary inquiry from Senator Tewarit Maneechai regarding the obstacles to this…
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Foreign affairs minister defends Thailand’s move to join BRICS
Thailand’s Foreign Affairs Minister Maris Sangiampongsa defended the nation’s decision to join BRICS, stating it aligns with national interests and will benefit the economy and international cooperation. Addressing the Senate yesterday, March 10, Maris discussed the pros and cons of this association, emphasising its role in maintaining Thailand’s global presence alongside other developing nations to tackle geopolitical issues. Maris highlighted…
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China crisis or Golden Week wonder? Tourism hopes take flight in May
In the midst of a 12% year-on-year plunge in Chinese tourist numbers during the first two months of the year, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is holding its breath for a revival come May, perfectly timed with China’s Labour Day holiday. TAT Deputy Governor Pattaraanong Na Chiangmai, handling international marketing across Asia and the South Pacific, highlighted that safety…
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Digital wallet phase three targets Thais aged 16 to 20
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Pichai Chunhavajira today announced that the third phase of the digital wallet programme will be limited to people aged 16 to 20. Efforts are being made to distribute the funds by the second quarter, with a potential fourth phase under consideration. Today, at 8.50am, March 10, at Government House, Pichai discussed the first…
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Thailand sees record 1.13 trillion baht foreign investment boost
Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra expressed optimism about Thailand’s economic prospects, highlighting significant foreign investment, which reached over 1.13 trillion baht last year, the highest in a decade. In a monthly Empowering Thais TV segment aired by the National Broadcasting Services of Thailand, the premier shares her optimism in regards to economic trajectory, despite last year’s 2.5% growth. “We will work…
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Thailand offers 50% travel subsidy: 1 million vouchers available
Thailand’s Tourism Minister, Sorawong Thienthong, has announced a bold plan to boost domestic tourism with a 3.5 billion baht budget request to fund the new We Travel Together programme. The scheme will offer Thai tourists 50% subsidies on hotel rooms and meals from May to September, with one million vouchers up for grabs. The proposed programme aims to revitalise the…
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Thai Airways reports huge loss but promises strong comeback
Thai Airways International has assured stakeholders that its massive loss for fiscal year 2024 is due to a one-off debt-to-equity conversion and will not hinder its operational performance or planned exit from its rehabilitation programme. The airline reported a staggering loss of 26.901 billion baht, primarily caused by a one-time accounting loss of 45.271 billion baht from the debt-to-equity conversion completed…
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Thai car market hits speed bump, FTI urges govt to drive recovery
The Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) is urging a turbocharged response from the government to rev up the nation’s sputtering car market. Demand for motors has hit a roadblock, with a particular skid in pickup truck sales. According to January’s numbers, it’s been a bumpy ride, causing manufacturers to slam the brakes on production by more than 200,000 units over…
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Rice and fall: Thailand faces grain pains as India lifts export limits
Thailand’s rice market, once riding high, now faces a shaky season as Indian export restrictions relax, threatening to steal the spotlight and curb the kingdom’s grain gains. After a bumper year, it seems that the golden grains might lose their sparkle, casting a shadow on Thailand’s export figures. Despite a slight boost in Thai rice production, set to rise by…
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Thai farmers demand rise in rice price to 10,000 baht per tonne
Farmers congregated at Government House in Bangkok, yesterday, February 19, urging the government to increase rice prices from the current 6,000 baht to 10,000 baht per tonne. Farmers from various provinces, including Sukhothai, Phitsanulok, and Suphan Buri, sought meetings with the prime minister, the agriculture minister, or the commerce minister to discuss solutions to declining rice prices. Deputy Commerce Minister…
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Thai Union hosts PM in Songkhla to boost seafood industry
Executives from the Thai Union Group Public Company Limited, a global leader in the seafood industry, hosted Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra and her Cabinet yesterday, February 18. The visit took place at the Thai Union Seafood Company’s frozen seafood processing plant in Songkhla province. The aim was to understand challenges and explore strategies to enhance the competitiveness of Thailand’s fisheries…
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Thai durians remain China’s top choice amid safety upgrades
The Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives has expressed confidence that Thai durians will continue to be the preferred choice in China, following enhancements to food safety and contamination screenings. Minister Narumon Pinyosinwat, after her recent visit to China, reported discussions with Sun Meijun, Minister of the General Administration of Customs of China, concerning Thai fruit imports. Thailand is the leading…
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Valentine’s rose prices in Chai Nat hit two-decade high
In Chai Nat, the demand for roses during Valentine’s Day has led to a significant increase in retail prices, reaching a two-decade high, according to local vendors. Rose sales have surged in anticipation of Valentine’s Day, resulting in higher prices at the Chai Nat municipal market. Prices nearly doubled overnight, rising from 10 to 15 baht per flower yesterday, February…
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Pattaya transforms Lan Pho Naklua into modern seafood market
Pattaya officials conducted an inspection of the nearly completed renovation at Lan Pho Naklua, which is being transformed into a modern seafood market. Pattaya Deputy Mayor Wuttisak Ruemkijakarn visited the site on Tuesday, February 11, to assess the progress of this transformation. He was accompanied by local government officials, relevant agencies, and residents. Wuttisak explained that the renovation aims to…
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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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Ex-alcohol chief toasts potential gains from lifting drink sales ban
Former chairperson of the Alcohol Beverage Business Association recently discussed the potential economic benefits of lifting the ban on alcohol sales from 2pm to 5pm as well as on religious holidays. The move aligns with Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra’s directive to review regulations that hinder economic stimulation and contradict tourism promotion policies. Thanakorn Kuptajit highlighted that revisiting these restrictions, including the…
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Digital wallet scheme’s third phase to start in second quarter
The third phase of the 10,000 baht digital wallet distribution initiative is set to start in the second quarter of the year, according to Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira. Pichai, who also serves as the Deputy Prime Minister, mentioned that the system for fund distribution is undergoing testing this month and is expected to be fully operational in time for the…
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Thaksin tasked with cryptocurrency proposal by Malaysian PM
Thaksin Shinawatra has been tasked with proposing and recommending that ASEAN consider adopting a cryptocurrency. He will undertake this role as a personal adviser to Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, who currently chairs ASEAN. Former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin was given this responsibility by the ASEAN chair due to his interest in cryptocurrencies. He emphasised the importance of the regional…
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