Track Thailand's economy in English — business, trade, finance and market news, covered by Thai PBS World, Thailand's public broadcasting service.
Under pressure pharmaceutical and agricultural groups, the Thai Commerce Ministry has withdrawn its cabinet proposal recommending that Thailand should join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP). Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister Jurin Laksanavisit told the media today that the sending of a letter of intent to join was approved by the
As Covid-19 infections and fatalities continue to rise across the world, many billionaires are stepping up to help ease the blow for the poorest people while also fighting back against the deadly disease. Contributions by moguls – many of them among the world’s richest – range from supporting their employees and helping the vulnerable, to
The Pharmacy Council of Thailand (PCT) has urged the Government not to rush into joining the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership, or CPTPP, fearing that early entry, without taking into account inputs from all stakeholders, may hurt the domestic pharmaceutical industry and hinder access to affordable medicines. The PCT voiced its concern after
The cabinet has approved an Energy Ministry proposal for the Government to help shoulder the electricity bills of 22 million households for three months, back dated to March, to cushion the impact of business closures caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Under the proposal, a household consuming less than 150 units will be exempted from paying
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha gave his assurance today that the Government has no intention whatsoever of begging for or borrowing money from the country’s 20 richest people, after he invited them for discussions about how they could help to cushion the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Prime Minister floated his idea, about seeking help
The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has extended the ban on the wholesale and retail sale of liquor, from April 20th until end of the month, in line with the ban imposed in most provinces of Thailand. The ban, imposed since April 10th, was due to expire today, but City Hall decided that the measure is
The price of un-milled Thai rice, for the 2019-2020 crop year, has increased to between 10,800 and 11,000 baht per tonne, which is the highest in about a decade. The higher price of un-milled rice this year is due to lower production, about 18.8 million tonnes against an original projection of 20.37 million, because of
Thailand’s Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has appealed to Thailand’s 20 richest people for help by asking them to join the Government in steering the country through the crisis caused by the devastating COVID-19 pandemic. In his live televised national address on Friday evening, the Prime Minister said that he had sent a letter to the
A researcher at Thailand’s economic think-tank, the Thailand Development Research Institute (TDRI), has predicted that the number of poor people in Thailand might grow three-fold to about 18.9 million if the COVID-19 pandemic drags on for another six to twelve months. Isranews Agency reports that Mr. Somchai Jitsuchon, research director of general development at the
As many as ten million workers in Thailand may lose their jobs in the next three months, if the COVID-19 pandemic drags on and if the Government does not provide timely support for businesses, according to Mr. Supant Mongkolsuthee, president of the Federation of Thai Industries. In his capacity as head of the CCSA’s working
Many shoppers recently seeking to purchase groceries from the Seattle-based e-commerce company found they could not place orders due to a lack of available delivery slots. Amazon said it would have to relegate all new online grocery customers to a wait list starting Monday while working on adding capacity each week. In recent weeks, it increased the number
The Government is yet to decide whether a 24-hour curfew is necessary, government spokeswoman Mrs. Narumon Pinyosinwat said today, as she tried to allay public fears about the extension of the current night time curfew. She assured that Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has not yet made that decision, adding that a 24-hour curfew would only
