Track Thailand's economy in English — business, trade, finance and market news, covered by Thai PBS World, Thailand's public broadcasting service.
Leading opposition MPs have expressed their disappointment in the government’s FY2024 budget, claiming that the financial allocations do not reflect the government’s policies and the bulk of the budget is allocated to the fixed expenditures of the various ministries, with little left over for the public benefit. Thai Sang Thai party leader Sudarat Keyuraphan said
The marine fishing management committee has agreed to allow 1,200 fishing vessels to continue to fish in the Gulf and the Andaman Sea for another 20-50 days, effective January 1 to enable them to earn more revenue. Bancha Sukkaew, director-general of the Fisheries Department, said today that the committee, chaired by Agriculture Minister Thammanat Prompao, has
Tourism and tourism-related activities during this year’s festive season are expected to generate about 54.4 billion baht in revenue, a 44% increase over last year, according to the Tourism Authority of Thailand Governor Thapanee Kiatphaibool. Spending by about 1.1 million foreign tourists through the Christmas to New Year period is estimated at about 41.7 billion
27,252,488 foreign tourists visited Thailand between January 1st and December 24th this year, meeting the 25-28 million foreign arrivals target. People from Malaysia topped the list, with 4,439,480 arrivals, followed by 3,418,732 from China, 1,616,858 from South Korea, 1,587,090 from India and 1,428,985 Russians. Government spokesman Chai Wacharonke said that, from December 18th to 24th,
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) lodged a complaint with the Department of Special Investigation today, accusing three former executives of STARK Corporation Public Company of insider trading. According to the SEC, STARK’s auditor had observed that the company’s financial statements might have been “doctored”, leaving the company unable to submit its 2022 financial statements
The cabinet agreed to increases in minimum wages by 2-16 baht/day today, as proposed by the tri-partite wage committee. The new rates will become effective on January 1. There are 17 minimum wage rates applicable in the 77 provinces across the country, based upon the cost of living and economic situation in each. The new
Major irregularities at Stark Corporation, a wire and cable manufacturer, made headline news in 2023 and was undoubtedly the biggest financial scandal of the year with far-reaching impact. Stark executives, board members and its subsidiaries were all allegedly involved in doctoring the company’s financial statement, engaging in fraud and money laundering. The executives allegedly overstated the company’s
Bangkok commuters’ dream of paying no more than 20 baht for a metro ride regardless of distance traveled still faces serious obstacles. Even with the ruling Pheu Thai Party by their side, the dream continues to seem far-fetched. Currently, fares start at 12 baht and go as high as 47 baht per ride. If commuters
A total of 105,482 borrowers have signed up since the beginning of December for government assistance in tackling their informal indebtedness, estimated at about 6.5 billion, Government Spokesman Chai Wacharonke said on Friday. So far, authorities have succeeded in mediating debt settlements for 224 borrowers, out of the 1,294 cases currently in the mediation process,
The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) is considering transferring the operation of three elevated train lines to the Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRT). They are the Gold Line, between Thonburi and Khlong San, the Watcharaphol-Rama 9-Tha Phra Grey Line and the Bang Na-Suvarnabhumi airport Blue Line extension. Currently, the MRT is the operator of
The Cabinet decided today to freeze the retail prices of diesel and cooking gas from January 1 until the end of March, but to raise the price of electricity from 3.99 to 4.20 baht/unit for January through April. Deputy government spokesperson Radklao Inthawong Suwankiri said today that the price freeze on diesel and cooking gas is
The Ministry of Finance unveiled details of its plan to solve formal debts today. Dr Paopoom Rojanasakul, secretary to the finance minister, said formal debtors seeking state help will be divided into those affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, those who have permanent incomes but are overloaded with debt, debtors who have uncertain incomes and debtors
