Track Thailand's economy in English — business, trade, finance and market news, covered by Thai PBS World, Thailand's public broadcasting service.
The Interior Ministry today withdrew for review a controversial draft ministerial regulation that would pave the way for limited foreign land ownership in exchange for investments in Thailand. Government Spokesman Anucha Burapachaisri said the Cabinet approved the withdrawal to allow the Interior Ministry to assess potential impact of the new regulation which is designed to
Thailand’s Government Housing Bank (GHB) has sought approval of the Finance Ministry and the cabinet for the third phase of the “One Million Home” project, providing housing to low income-earners. The third phase of the project will cost the GHB about 20 billion baht, to be provided to real estate developers, which invest between 200
Thai real estate business operators will propose that the government allow foreigners to buy houses on up to 0.16 hectares (one rai) of land, as an alternative to the right to buy the land on which it sits, for residential purposes, as defined in the Interior Ministry’s edict, which has met with resistance from nationalist
Two state-run banks, Krung Thai and Government Savings, have offered to extend loans, amounting to 5 billion baht, to the debt-ridden Oil Fuel Fund, to ease its current liquidity problems. An informed government source said that loan, which will be guaranteed by the Finance Ministry, is the first tranche of about 30 billion baht in
Electric car owners will soon find themselves making a greater contribution to the country than they ever imagined. Apart from reducing emissions, electric cars become potential “power plants” that strengthen national energy security or even be part of a disaster relief solution. The recent signing of MOU between the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT)
The government’s plan to allow foreigners to own a limited amount of land in Thailand is intended to benefit the Thai people and the government is not “selling off” the country to foreigners, as alleged by some, said Deputy Government Spokesperson Tipanan Sirichana on Sunday. Responding to the Pheu Thai Party’s strong opposition to the
Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha and his Laotian counterpart, Phankham Viphavanh, jointly presided over the official ceremony to lay the foundation stone of the 5th Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge, linking Thailand’s Bueng Kan province with Bolikhamxay province in Laos. Actual construction of the bridge began some time ago and is now 57% complete. It is expected
Thailand’s Fiscal Policy Office has adjusted the economic growth projection for this year to 3.4%, down from 3.5%, due to a slowdown in private investment, from a projection of 5.7% to 5.1%, because of raw material price increases. The office forecasts, however, that the growth projection for next year will be increased to 3.8%, due
Thai transgender business tycoon Jakkaphong Jakrajutatip, aka “Anne”, has purchased the Miss Universe pageant from the US’ IMG for about US$20million. Jakkaphong said, during a press conference held today (Thursday) in Bangkok, that Miss Universe is the pride of Thai people, not just of the JKN Global Group (Jakkaphong’s company) and that (the purchase) is
The Thai Bankers Association (TBA) is set to hold talks with the Anti-Money Laundering Office (AMLO), seeking the postponement of the enforcement of a new rule, which will require everyone depositing cash via cash deposit machines (CDMs) to identify themselves, by using a credit or debit card plus their PIN number. The rule is due
The Thailand Consumer Council (TCC) formally asked the House Anti-Corruption Committee today (Wednesday) to investigate the 5-member Board of the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC), accusing it of malfeasance in office for “acknowledging” the merger plan between True Corporation and Total Access Communications (DTAC). The council’s letter of petition was received by the House
The Thai cabinet has approved an edict from the Ministry of Interior, which will pave the way for four groups of non-Thai citizens to be able to buy up to 0.16 hectare (one rai) of land for residential purposes, as part of the government’s measures to attract foreign investment. Those eligible include people with high
