Track Thailand's economy in English — business, trade, finance and market news, covered by Thai PBS World, Thailand's public broadcasting service.
The Bank of Thailand (BoT) has sent an urgent letter to the government advising it to downsize the “digital wallet” scheme by only providing the 10,000 baht benefit to about 15 million so-called “financially fragile” people, instead of the 50 million people as currently planned. This would enable the plan to be implemented immediately and
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin had an informal meeting with the CEOs of four of Thailand’s top banks at Government House this morning, reportedly to ask them to consider cutting their lending rates for “fragile” groups, such as small entrepreneurs. The meeting, before the start of the cabinet meeting, lasted about 30 minutes. The prime minister
The Land Transport Association of Thailand (LTAT) are seeking a meeting with Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin to discuss transport fees, following the increase in the diesel price by one baht/litre last Saturday. Supasak Rungjerdfa, LTAT advisor, said that the association wants to know whether the diesel price will increase again this year, by how much
Transport Minister Suriya Juangroongruangkit has insisted that, by September next year, the maximum fare on all electric train services in Bangkok and its vicinity will be capped at 20 baht. Currently, the 20-baht train fare for an entire trip has been in effect on only two services, the Purple Line between Taopoon and Bang Phai
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) claims that the “Maha Songkran World Water Festival 2024”, held at Sanam Luang and Ratchadamnoen Avenue between April 11th and 15th, was a great success in terms of visitors and revenue. TAT Governor Thapanee Kiatphaibool said that the five-day festive event, featuring various forms of entertainment, street food and
Thailand sees a prospect of increasing Thai rice’s market share in the Philippines, as the country is expected to import about 4.1 million tonnes, an increase of about 200,000 tonnes, or 5% more than the February projection of 3.9 million tonnes, due to domestic production shortfall. Commerce Minister Phumtham Wechayachai said today that the new
The labour union of the Bank of Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives (BAAC) has voiced opposition to the government’s plan to borrow about 172 billion baht from the bank to fund the “digital wallet” scheme. Prayat Thammakhan, secretary-general of BAAC union, said bank’s employees are concerned that such a staggering amount of lending by the bank
After months of delay, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin announced the official launch of the “digital wallet” scheme today, saying that the estimated 50 million Thai citizens aged 16 and older will be able to register in the third quarter of this year and the 10,000 baht will be wired to their accounts in the fourth.
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin reiterated today that the “digital wallet” scheme will go ahead as planned and that about 50 million eligible people will receive the Bt10,000 state benefit in the fourth quarter of this year. Before chairing a meeting of the scheme’s policy committee this morning, the prime minister inquired about the whereabouts of
The Fuel Fund’s executive committee decided on Friday to increase diesel price by 50 satang to 30.44 baht per litre, effective tomorrow, according to Wisak Watanasap, director of the Office of Oil Fuel Fund. He said that the committee also increased the subsidy for diesel by 20 satang to 4.77 baht/litre, adding that the price
Joint Standing Committee on Commerce, Industry and Banking (JSCCIB) has maintained the economic growth projection for 2024 for Thailand at 2.8%-3.3% as it urges the government to cut interest rates, stimulate the economy and accelerate the disbursement of the 2024 fiscal budget. JSCCIB president Kriengkrai Thiennukul said that, even though the GDP growth forecast for
The global diesel price jump of US$2.74/barrel in a single day yesterday has caused serious concern at the Energy Mnistry, to the extent that it may have to allow domestic diesel prices to rise above the Bt30/litre ceiling. An informed source in the ministry said that they may have to decide whether to maintain domestic
