Track Thailand's economy in English — business, trade, finance and market news, covered by Thai PBS World, Thailand's public broadcasting service.
The adjustments to the digital wallet scheme, as proposed by an ad hoc sub-committee, are an indication that the government is encountering problems in securing the estimated Bt560 billion needed to fund it, Move Forward deputy leader Sirikanya Tansakul said today (Thursday). Even if the scheme is downsized to reach only those who are in
The government’s controversial digital wallet scheme is likely to be downsized, with those who earn more than a yet-to be-defined amount per month not being eligible to receive the one-time 10,000 baht token, to be transferred to their digital wallet. Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat said today (Thursday) that the sub-committee tasked with considering the
The Ministry of Industry is considering increasing the ex-refinery sugar price by Bt4/kg, as proposed by sugar millers and sugarcane planters to cover increased production costs, and providing subsidies for sugarcane growers, to discourage them from burning their canes and causing significant PM2.5 air pollution. According to the Sugar and Sugarcane Committee, growers have demanded
Thailand’s under-performing economy needs to be given a major boost, to increase its growth rate and pull the country out of the middle-income trap, while improving the livelihoods of people at all levels, according to Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin. In his keynote speech, given at an event hosted by the Economic Reporters Association, the prime
Chinese President Xi Jinping has used a recent international forum in Beijing to reaffirm his commitment to advancing the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), but questions persist as to whether the ambitious project is really of benefit to its partner countries. In an interview with Thai PBS World, Narongsak Putthapornmongkol, the President of the Thai-Chinese
The Thai Commerce Ministry has sought support and cooperation from the Japan External Trade Organisation (JETRO), to increase the ability of Thai small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to access the Japanese market, especially for farm products. Deputy Commerce Minister Napintorn Srisunpang said that he sought the help during his discussion with JETRO chairman Kurada Jun
The Thai government is determined to promote increased production and use of electric vehicles (EVs), in place of internal combustion engines, to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050 and net zero greenhouse gas emissions by the year 2065, according to Radklao Inthawong Suwankiri, deputy government spokesperson. She said that the government has assigned the Transport, Natural
The government’s controversial digital wallet scheme is facing increasing opposition, with opponents seeking intervention from the Central Administrative Court, the Election Commission, the Office of Auditor-General and the Ombudsman to put the scheme on hold. Thai Pakdee Party leader Warong Dechgitvigrom filed a complaint with the Auditor-General’s Office yesterday (Wednesday), asking for a probe into
Beijing – China and Thailand should step up efforts to crack down on cross-border crimes such as telecommunications fraud and online gambling, President Xi Jinping told Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin in Beijing on Thursday. China is willing to strengthen cooperation with Thailand within multilateral frameworks, state media China Central Television quoted Xi as saying
A representative of the Bank of Thailand told the House Economic Affairs Committee today (Thursday) that there is little need for the digital wallet scheme, because private sector consumption for the first half of this year has been expanding, while the labour market is recovering steadily. As such, claims the bank, the full potential of
About 79% of respondents to a National Institute of Development Administration (NIDA) poll say that they will accept the 10,000 baht one-time subsidy from the government under the “digital wallet” scheme and will use it to buy goods and services, while 60% believe that the popularity of the ruling Pheu Thai party will suffer if
Australia is interested in investing in infrastructure development projects, water resources in particular, in Thailand’s Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC), according to Thailand’s trade representative Nalinee Taveesin. Australia is Thailand’s 8th largest trading partner, with bilateral trade last year estimated at about US$18.38 billion, with a tendency to increase in line with Australia’s economic strategy in
