investors
- Thailand News
Murky waters: Shady investors dive into Koh Chang land grab
Fresh fears are bubbling up in Koh Chang, Trat province, as sneaky investors with murky ties have started to snap up land. Chaiwat Limlikhit-aksorn, National Parks Office Director, raised the red flag on these shady dealings. “Private investors are buying swathes of land from locals, and we suspect sinister connections behind these transactions. The government and local officials need to…
- Thailand News
Thai investors flee Myanmar chaos, pulling out 253 billion baht
Thai companies are fleeing Myanmar amid escalating conflict and economic instability. The ongoing clash between Myanmar’s military government and opposition forces shows no signs of easing, prompting Thai firms to withdraw a staggering US$7 billion (around 253 billion baht) in investments. Once the third-largest investors in Myanmar, Thai companies are now ranked 5th, with investments plummeting from US$11.6 billion in…
- Thailand News
Thai investor confidence remains neutral for 5th month
The Federation of Thai Capital Market Organisations’ (FETCO) Investor Confidence Index (ICI) maintained its position in the neutral zone for the 5th consecutive month, registering 82.89 in June. The index, which forecasts market conditions over the next three months, highlights that stimulus measures and companies’ earnings reports could potentially boost investor sentiment in the latter half of the year. FETCO…
- Thailand News
Thai land bridge project faces concerns over land disputes
Private companies, eager to invest in the Thai government’s ambitious land bridge project in the south of the country, voiced concerns over potential legal hurdles that could impede the construction of the mega project. The project aims to establish a crucial link between the Pacific and Indian oceans in the southern region of Thailand. Chumphon and Ranong are to act…
- Business News
Thai stock market rebounds amid renewed investor confidence
The Thai stock market made a strong comeback yesterday, experiencing a rise of approximately 1.3%. This resurgence was mirrored in other regional markets which also bounced back from significant losses incurred on Friday. Investors are seemingly reassured by the belief that a full-scale war in the Middle East is unlikely. This sentiment was further bolstered by the decision of the…
- Business News
SET to tighten supervision of listed Thai firms starting March 25
The Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) announced plans to strengthen the supervision of its listed companies from March 25 onwards, as part of an initiative to reinforce their financial standing and provide detailed disclosure for investors. SET’s president, Pakorn Peetathawatchai, stated that the move aims to provide investors with clearer and more varied warning signs to alert them of potential…
- Business News
New VC funds to boost startup growth in 2024
This year, the growth of startups is anticipated to see a significant boost as several new venture capital (VC) funds emerge, following a period of slowed activity during the pandemic and recent crypto winter. Among these is the Finno Efra Fund, valued at 1.3 billion baht, co-established by EfraStructure and Krungsri Finnovate, with operations set to commence in March. Pawoot…
- Business News
SEC considers banning NVDR securities for Thai investors
With plans to limit Thai investors from making investments in non-voting depository receipts (NVDRs), the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is setting up a public hearing to enforce a ban on securities companies offering such services. Citing concerns over NVDR securities as a mechanism to sidestep compliance with regulations or as a means to obscure shareholding data, the SEC believes…
- Business News
Thai retail investors now unrestricted in real estate, infrastructure-backed ICOs
Retail investors in Thailand will no longer face restrictions on investment in real estate and infrastructure-backed initial coin offerings (ICOs), according to an announcement by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The change, effective from January 16, was made to encourage technology use for fundraising and to support sustainable capital market growth and the digital economy’s development. The SEC’s role,…
- Business News
Thai institutional investors foresee policy interest rate cut in 2024
The Association of Investment Management Companies (AIMC) disclosed that institutional investors anticipate Thailand’s policy interest rate to reduce by 0.25% to 2.25% this year. Investors are encouraged to take a heavyweight stance on fixed-income assets. Chavinda Hanratanakool, AIMC chairwoman, conveyed the results of a survey conducted amongst institutional investors. The survey explored their views on economic conditions and interest rate…
- Business News
Thai investors anticipate surge in depositary receipts popularity in 2024
Executives anticipate a surge in the popularity of depositary receipts (DRs) among Thai investors this year, with the investment tool offering a gateway to high-profile foreign stocks, risk diversification, and potential high returns. As they have become more prevalent on the Thai bourse, investors held DRs worth around 16 billion baht (US$466 million) on the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET)…
- Business News
YouTrip sets sights on Southeast Asian expansion
Southeast Asian fintech giant YouTrip is gearing up for regional expansion, backed by a successful funding round that raised US$50 million (1.84 billion baht). The round witnessed participation from new investors, including global venture capital firm Lightspeed. This Singapore-based multi-currency digital payments platform has managed to amass over US$100 million (3.68 billion baht) in funding since its inception. The newly…
- Business News
ThaiBMA warns investors about corporate bonds as firms struggle amidst pandemic
The Thai Bond Market Association (ThaiBMA) is urging caution among investors considering corporate bonds due to ongoing challenges faced by several companies in the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic. Ariya Tiranaprakit, ThaiBMA’s executive vice president, highlighted that three companies failed to meet debenture payments totalling 12.1 billion baht this year. Additionally, some firms struggled to adhere to corporate bond payment…
- Business News
Bangkok freehold land in Lang Suan invites global investor bids
A prestigious piece of freehold land nestled in Bangkok‘s highly-prized region, Lang Suan, has notably emerged on the bidding block. Managed by Colliers Thailand, the real estate and professional services heavyweight, offers are being invited for a prominent development plot on the distinguished Lang Suan Road in Bangkok. Investors around the world have turned a keen eye towards this proposition,…
- Business News
SEC offers guidance for investors amid Stark’s potential bond default
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has issued guidelines for investors as Stark Corporation faces the possibility of defaulting on bond payments worth nearly 9.2 billion baht. The SEC has emphasised that investing in debt securities carries high risks and that investors could lose both principal and interest. The guidelines aim to clarify the roles and functions of bond representatives…
- Business News
Thai investor confidence sinks as government formation uncertainty looms
Investor confidence in the nation’s stock market has dropped to an eight-month low due to uncertainty over the formation of a new government, according to the Federation of Thai Capital Market Organisations (Fetco). The overall investor confidence index has dipped to 77.70 from 110.09 in May, entering the “bearish zone” for the first time in eight months. Foreign investor confidence…
- Pattaya News
Foreign investors keep a close eye on struggling Pattaya hotels
With Pattaya hotel operators in dire financial straits brought on by the lack of tourists during the pandemic, foreign investors are apparently keeping a close eye on the situation. The hotel operators in the tourist city are being warned that if they do not get assistance for their outstanding loans, then their businesses could be taken over by foreign investors.…
- Economy News
Thai government plans to draw in rich foreigners to live in Thailand
Say goodbye to the backpacker lifestyle of travelling through Thailand on a shoestring budget. The Thai government plans to lure rich, high spending foreigners with plans underway to reopen the country to foreign visitors. The government plans to draw in at least 1 million high spending tourists – rich retirees who want to settle in Thailand and potential investors interested…
- World News
Thai investors in Myanmar concerned with future business following the military coup
With potential sanctions and boycotts against Myanmar likely following the military coup, the Thai-Myanmar Business Council says Thai investors are concerned their businesses in the neighbouring country will be affected. It’s unclear what effect the coup will have on Thai-owned businesses in Myanmar. The country’s economy, already battered by the Covid-19 pandemic, is expected to slow down with potential sanctions.…
- Thailand News
Overseas investors buy Thai bonds, optimistic that Covid-19 vaccine will revive tourism
With hopes that a Covid-19 vaccine will be the key to open Thailand’s doors back up to international tourism, overseas investors are putting down money into Thailand’s financial market. Thai baht has strengthened by nearly 3% since the end of October, a top performing currency in Asia following the Indonesian rupiah, and it’s expected to strengthen even further over the…
- Covid-19 News
Thai tourism and shares start to catch the Coronavirus Effect
The Stock Exchange of Thailand’s key index fell last month almost 100 points, after earlier reaching its highest point of 1,604.28 and then falling 96.92 points, or 6%. Industrial stocks have fallen nearly 10% due to a slide in petrochemical stocks, followed by commercial bank stocks which fell 8.7%. Technology and construction stocks lost 4% during January. But some stocks…
- Crime News
Up to 30,000 caught up in “Forex- 3D” Ponzi scheme
PHOTO: INN News The Thai justice ministry has revealed that one hundred victims were preparing to press the Department of Special Investigations (DSI) to consider the “Forex-3D” Ponzi scam case as one with ‘special status’. Read the background to the story HERE. There are thought to be up to 30,000 victims of the scheme was offering 10% interest per month to investors,…
- World News
Hong Kong property investors turn to SE Asia
“But now mainland Chinese, who traditionally viewed property in Hong Kong as a safe investment, are opting for rival financial hub Singapore and other south east Asian property hot spots.” by Sam Reeves, with Catherine Lai in Singapore From luxury Singapore apartments to Malaysian seafront condos, Hong Kong investors are shifting cash into Southeast Asian property, demoralised by increasingly violent protests…
- Economy News
“Too good for its own good” – The Thai economy
Bloomberg has written an opinion piece about the robust Thai economy, sharing its fears along with some pats on the back. “Thailand really should let its hair down. The currency is strong and the current-account surplus is big versus the neighborhood, while there’s a lot of scope for fiscal expansion. The Bank of Thailand has been grudging in cutting interest rates, in contrast to the…
- Transport News
Three Thai high-speed train projects shelved
“As the high-speed train system in Laos is nearing completion, he said that Thailand must speed up its construction of the Bangkok-Nong Khai project.” Three high-speed train projects are being shelved by the Thai government due to lack of interest from co-investors. Sources at the Transport Ministry have told Thai PBS World that none of the three projects were included…
- Property
Lower demand but Thailand is still China’s favourite international property market
The Yuan has dropped in value against the Thai baht and China remains in the midst of a long-running trade spat with the US. But, still, the Chinese investors are still buying up Thailand property although not at the same rate as they did last year. But juwai.com, specialising in Chinese real estate, predicts further growth of Chinese buyers Thai…
- Tourism News
Currency investors factor in no-deal Brexit as pound flounders
The world’s stock markets and economists think leaving the EU won’t have a sterling outcome. That’s the way the protracted Brexit negotiations are playing out in a slow, drawn out and economically painful rout of the GBP. The British pound hit a two year low of $1.212 against the USD on Tuesday, just another blow for the currency following several…