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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Sponsored Thailand vs. the West: What expats save on healthcare each year
Healthcare in Thailand is much cheaper than in Western countries, making it a great choice for expatriates looking for affordable medical care. Both public and private healthcare options offer high-quality services, with savings of up to 80% on procedures like...
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Thailand’s economic growth forecast cut to 2.4% amid weak exports
Thailand’s economic growth is forecasted to slow to 2.4% this year, a decrease from the 2.8% projection made in April, primarily due to weaker-than-expected exports and public investment in the early months of the year, the World Bank announced. The World Bank today, July 3, highlighted that the growth of Southeast Asia’s second-largest economy will be supported by consumer spending,…
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Brewing trouble: Coffee brand percolates price hike due to costs
A popular coffee brand plans to increase its prices by 5% to 10% this month, citing rising production costs. This follows the recent price adjustment by Ajinomoto for its monosodium glutamate (MSG) products, which saw a 4% to 5% increase for packages of 250 grammes, 500 grammes, and 1,000 grammes. Somsak Pornratanacharoen, honorary advisor of the Thai Wholesale and Retail…
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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…
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Thailand considers alcohol ban lift to boost restaurant spirits
The Government of Thailand is considering lifting the afternoon ban on alcohol sales to assist struggling restaurant operators amid an economic downturn. Representatives from the Restaurant Business Club submitted a letter to Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, urging for measures to help restaurants survive the challenging economic climate. Restaurant operators highlighted rising operating costs and increasing prices of ingredients as major…
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Jet fuel tax relief losing altitude, says deputy finance minister
The Finance Ministry appears unlikely to extend the jet fuel excise tax reduction, which was initially introduced during the Covid-19 pandemic, stated Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat. Julapun addressed a recent proposal by a group of budget airlines seeking further reductions in the jet fuel excise tax. He remarked that such requests are not of immediate importance. Julapun highlighted that…
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Deputy Thai PM orders plan to boost tapioca market in Korat
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Commerce Phumtham Wechayachai visited tapioca farmers in Korat, where he ordered the development of a comprehensive plan to manage prices and urged the expansion of new export markets in the Middle East. During the recent off-site Cabinet meeting in Nakhon Ratchasima, Phumtham met with the Tapioca Association, farmer representatives, and the President of the…
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Indian PM to headline BIMSTECS summit in Thailand
Sources reveal that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be among the key figures at the upcoming Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTECS) summit. The summit, themed Towards Resilient Regions, Prosperous Economies, Healthy People, marks the 5th gathering of this crucial bloc. Leaders from Bhutan, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Nepal, and Sri Lanka have already confirmed their…
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Phuket’s Walking Street market leads new street food initiative
Phuket’s Chartered Walking Street market has been selected by the Department of Health as the premier venue for the Street Food Good Health from Local to Global initiative. This programme aims to bolster tourist confidence and attract visitors throughout the year. Deputy Director-General of the Department of Health, Dr Atthaphon Kaewsamrit, and Dr Kusak Kukiattikoon, Chief of the Phuket Provincial…
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Northeast plans NEC to boost economy at mobile Cabinet meeting
Private sector representatives in the northeast are set to present a series of economic stimulation projects, including the establishment of the Northeastern Economic Corridor (NEC), during the mobile Cabinet meeting in Nakhon Ratchasima on July 2. Hatsadin Suwattanapongchet, Secretary of the Northeastern Industrial Federations, announced that the NEC, traversing Nakhon Ratchasima, Khon Kaen, Udon Thani, and Nong Khai, will emulate…
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Biodiesel betrayal: Big fuel companies snub palm oil producers
The Thai Biodiesel Producers Association plans to lodge a formal complaint against major fuel traders under Section 7 of the Fuel Trade Act. The traders have refused to purchase B100 biodiesel from local palm oil producers. Section 7 traders, including industry giants like PTT Plc and Bangchak Corporation, are those handling over 100,000 tonnes of fuel annually. These powerhouses stand…
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Thailand tourism spending to miss 1.2tn baht target, rising costs
Thailand’s domestic tourism spending is projected to fall short of the government’s ambitious target of 1.2 trillion baht amid economic concerns and rising travel costs, as the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) indicates. TAT Deputy Governor for Domestic Marketing, Somradee Chitchong, expressed confidence that domestic trips would reach 210 million this year, surpassing the initial target of 200 million. Despite…
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Baht to hit 37.25 per US dollar amid global currency slump
The Thai baht is expected to plummet to 37.25 against the US dollar in the near future, as Asian currencies have weakened to their lowest levels since 2022. This decline is driven by ongoing global volatility and outflows from Thai stock and bond markets amid uncertainty surrounding US interest rate cuts, according to economists. The Thai currency yesterday dropped to…
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Thailand truckers protest rising diesel prices, demand 30 baht cap
A convoy of trucks will hit the roads next week as truckers in northeast Thailand protest against rising diesel prices which are massively cutting into their profits, demanding the government cap the price at 30 baht per litre. Chairman of the Land Transport Federation of Thailand in the northeast and transport company owner, Somkid Kingkrodklang, highlighted the severe impact of…
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Thailand and Singapore bolster regional stability through civil ties
Singapore and Thailand’s foreign ministers affirmed that enhanced civil service collaboration will deepen bilateral ties and contribute to regional development. Speaking at the 14th Civil Service Exchange Programme (CSEP), co-hosted by the Thai and Singaporean foreign affairs ministries, officials highlighted the importance of sharing knowledge and best practices among civil service officers from both nations. The ministers emphasised that such…
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Bank of Thailand predicts slower third and fourth quarter growth
The Bank of Thailand anticipates slower economic growth in the upcoming third and fourth quarters, attributing this to a high base effect. According to Piti Disyatat, secretary of the central bank’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC), second-quarter GDP is expected to grow by 1% from the previous quarter, a decline from the 1.5% growth observed in the first quarter. These projections…
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Thai PM launches Phenix to make Thailand global food hub
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin led the Phenix project yesterday, aiming to transform Thailand into a global food wholesale hub. The event saw participation from several key political figures, highlighting the project’s significance in positioning Thailand at the forefront of the global food industry. PM Srettha outlined that the Phenix project is designed to unite food industry professionals from around the…
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Thailand government slashes hotel fees in tourism boost gamble
The Thai Cabinet made a bold move to bolster its tourism sector by extending a waiver on operating fees for hoteliers for another two years. This strategic decision, made yesterday, June 25, aims to support the country’s ongoing economic recovery following the devastating impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. The fee exemption, which spares hoteliers from the annual charge of 40…
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Finance Ministry to launch 500 billion baht fund to boost shares
Stock analysts are backing the Finance Ministry’s initiative to establish a new fund aimed at boosting investment in Thai shares, predicting a surge in trading activity in the fourth quarter. To revitalise the sluggish stock market, Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira announced that the ministry is exploring the creation of a new fund similar to the Vayupak Fund, a former state-managed…
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Thailand imports shrimp from Ecuador amid local production crisis
Thailand, once the world’s leading shrimp exporter, now finds itself importing shrimp from Ecuador. Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin directed the Department of Fisheries to investigate and report back in the next Cabinet meeting. The nation, which used to produce and export 600,000 tonnes of shrimp annually, now produces only 200,000 tonnes. This significant decline has necessitated the importation of shrimp,…
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Thailand’s tourism revenue goal in jeopardy: Tourism minister
Thailand faces an uphill battle in reaching its ambitious 3.5 trillion-baht tourism revenue target for 2024, as admitted by Tourism and Sports Minister Sermsak Pongpanich. Speaking at the Thai Hotels Association’s annual conference, Sermsak highlighted the current progress and challenges ahead. “In the first five months of this year, Thailand has welcomed 15 million foreign tourists, generating 1.1 trillion baht.…
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Thailand’s national parks smash revenue records
Thailand’s national parks achieved a monumental milestone, breaking revenue records by collecting a whopping 1.785 billion baht between October 1 last year, and June 20 this year. This incredible sum surpasses the total amount collected in the whole of 2023, which stood at 1.467 billion baht. Leading the charge is the Nopparat Thara Beach National Park, Phi Phi Islands, raking…
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Thai handicrafts to drive economic growth, says Deputy PM
The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Commerce has tasked the Institute for the Promotion of Thai Arts and Crafts (SACIT) with enhancing Thai handicrafts to boost the economy. This initiative aims to honour the legacy of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit, The Queen Mother. Deputy PM Phumtham announced policies to advance the SACIT at Bang Sai, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya.…
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Harman hits the gas with Thailand factory for electronic auto boost
Harman, a subsidiary of Samsung Electronics based in the United States, has announced the establishment of its first factory in Southeast Asia, selecting Thailand as the location for its production hub aimed at exporting electronic automotive products. Harman’s head of operations, Sami Krimi, stated his excitement at the project. “Thailand’s extensive experience in the automotive and related industries has encouraged…
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Thailand’s exports surge in May with agricultural products
Thailand’s exports reached their highest level in 14 months, achieving a 7.2% year-on-year growth in May, largely due to a surge in agricultural products. Director-General of the Trade Policy and Strategy Office Poonpong Naiyanapakorn announced that the value of exports in May expanded to US$26.2 billion (approximately 960 billion baht), marking a significant gain of 7.2%. Thai shipments, excluding gold,…
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Haulage operators in Thailand threaten strike over diesel prices
Road haulage operators have hiked their charges by an average of 9% today and are now gearing up for a nationwide strike unless the government addresses their demands to cap diesel prices at 30 baht per litre. Apichart Prairungruang, Land Transport Association of Thailand President, expressed frustration. “We’ve adjusted charges to cope with rising costs after four petitions to Prime…
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Food delivery market grows as economy threatens restaurants
The online food delivery market in Thailand is experiencing growth but the challenging economy might force closures of between 50,000 and 100,000 small restaurants. Thailand has approximately 700,000 restaurants, including mobile street vendors, with the total business valued at 800 billion baht. Online food delivery services contribute 15% to this total. Chief Executive of Line Man Wongnai, Yod Chinsupakul, reports…
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MFP urges budget reform, reassures public with its scrutiny efforts
In a heated budget debate, the Move Forward Party (MFP) claims a significant victory in its relentless scrutiny of the 2025 budget. Party leaders assure the public that their meticulous examination has met expectations, confident that their efforts won’t disappoint. Natthapong Rueangpanyawut, a party-list MP from MFP, highlighted a pressing issue during the debate: the need for fundamental budgetary reform.…
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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…
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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…
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Thailand eyes cleaner energy with new power plan for 2024 to 2037
Thailand’s revised power development plan (PDP) is set to be submitted for approval after a week-long public hearing concluded yesterday, the implementation of the plan by year’s end, will steer the country towards cleaner energy. Central to Thailand’s commitment to reducing carbon dioxide emissions, the PDP is expected to provide a clearer path for the nation. Thailand announced its commitment…
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