Track Thailand's economy in English — business, trade, finance and market news, covered by Thai PBS World, Thailand's public broadcasting service.
Prime Minister-elect Srettha Thavisin held talks with representatives of eight airlines, Airports of Thailand (AoT) and the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) today (Monday), seeking cooperation to boost tourist arrivals during the last quarter of this year. The prime minister reminded those at the meeting that the fourth quarter is peak tourist season and
Three months of uncertainty and anxiety for Thailand’s economy and the business sector ended last week as Parliament finally elected the country’s 30th prime minister after the May 14 general election. The election of Srettha Thavisin, coalition leader Pheu Thai Party’s prime minister candidate, on August 22 has come as a relief to business leaders, injecting
The Ministry of Finance has no policy to increase value-added tax from 7% to 10%, to generate more revenue to fund old age pensions, according to Pornchai Theeravet, director of the Fiscal Policy Office and spokesman for the ministry. His remark is in response to a report that the National Economic and Social Development Council
The new government will consider extending tourist visa validities from 30 days to 90 days and the easing of immigration procedures, to make them more convenient for foreign tourists, said Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, responding to call from tourism business operators for the government to boost the tourism industry. He also said, however, that the
Night entertainment operators in Phuket have proposed that Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin allow their venues on Patong Beach to stay open until 4am, instead of the current 1am. Weerawit Kruasombat, president of the entertainment business operators association on Patong Beach, said today (Saturday) that the proposal was submitted to Srettha during yesterday’s meeting between the
Dr Pakpilai Thavisin is feeling heat from the media spotlight after her husband Srettha Thavisin became Thailand’s 30th prime minister. But this is far from her first taste of fame. With her high-flying career and fashionable dress sense, Pakpilai has been a favorite subject of gossip columns for years. She has also aired her views
Thailand’s exports for the first seven months of this year dropped by 5.5% year-on-year to US$163.3 billion. Imports fell by 4.7 % year-on-year to US$171.5 billion. This has resulted in a trade deficit of US$8.2 billion, according to the Ministry of Commerce. In July alone, exports dropped by 6.2% year-on-year to US$22.1 billion, while imports
As a new Thai government is taking shape under the leadership of Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, the Japanese business sector, which plays a crucial role in Thailand’s economy, looks forward to seeing consistency and open communication in the economic policy of the incoming administration. In an exclusive interview with Thai PBS World, President of the
The new government will face serious challenges in accelerating the development of the country’s flagship Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC), which was launched with the vision of creating a next-generation growth area. The EEC was launched in 2018 by the first Prayut Chan-o-cha government and further developed during Prayut’s second term in office. The EEC covers
For security reasons, Bangkok Remand Prison is suspending inmate visitations tomorrow (Tuesday), when fugitive former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra is scheduled to return to Thailand. A large number of Thaksin’s supporters are expected to gather in front of the jail, which is on Ngamwongwan Road in Chatuchak district. The prison normally allows visits from Monday
Thailand’s Consumer Council (TCC) have voiced their opposition to the Interior Ministry’s recent change to rules on old age pensions and wants them to reinstate the old rules, under which all elderly people aged 60 and over who are not government officials or state enterprise employees are eligible to monthly cost of living allowance from
The Thai Rice Packers Association has announced a 3 baht/kg price increase for packed rice, to 20 baht/kg, effective in September, citing increased production costs. The association’s president, Yongyut Phurkmahadamrong, admitted that the price increase of packed rice will affect most consumers, but said that the adjustment is necessary. He said the Internal Trade Department
