Thai Times

Thailand Digital Payment Volume Soars as Cashless Adoption Accelerates Across Tourism and Retail Sectors

Thailand's digital payment ecosystem has hit a major milestone with nearly one million electronic data capture terminals and over one million quick response code touchpoints handling hundreds of billions of baht in foreign transactions. ...

Phuket Undergoes Two Hundred and Ten Billion Baht Economic and Infrastructure Overhaul to Expand Global Appeal

Phuket is executing a massive two hundred and ten billion baht transformation driven by a wave of public and private mega-projects aimed at reshaping the island's long-term economic trajectory. Major commercial developments, including th...

Thailand and Private Sector Launch Reinvent Thailand Initiative to Drive Annual Growth Above Three Percent

The Thai government and the private sector are rolling out the Reinvent Thailand initiative through the Joint Public-Private Sector Committee to push annual economic growth past three percent while boosting investment to at least thirty ...

Tourism Authority of Thailand Targets Thirty-Four Million Foreign Visitors and Revenue Growth for Two Thousand Seven

The Tourism Authority of Thailand has set an ambitious target of thirty-four million international visitor arrivals and one point six three trillion baht in tourism revenue for two thousand twenty-seven, relying on targeted marketing cam...

Bank of Thailand Prepares New Regulatory Framework for Baht-Backed Stablecoins Ahead of March Implementation

The Bank of Thailand announced plans to introduce a formal regulatory framework for baht-backed stablecoins in March two thousand twenty-seven while temporarily halting new money changer licenses to tighten financial oversight, support s...

Pattaya Launches Two Point Seven Five Billion Baht Infrastructure Overhaul to Permanently Address Urban Flooding

The city administration of Pattaya has rolled out a comprehensive two billion seven hundred and fifty million baht infrastructure initiative designed to modernize drainage systems and eliminate chronic flooding, protecting local real est...

Thailand Expands Automated Passport Gate Access to Nationals of Thirty-Three Countries to Ease Airport Congestion

Thailand has extended automated passport control gate access at its international airports to visitors from thirty-three nations, significantly cutting down immigration waiting times, reducing terminal bottlenecks, and improving the arri...

National Telecom Proposes Sixteen Point One Billion Baht Submarine Cable Project to Expand Regional Digital Connectivity

State-owned National Telecom has submitted a sixteen billion one hundred million baht proposal for a new submarine cable network aimed at dramatically expanding international bandwidth capacity, strengthening data links, and anchoring Th...

Ministry of Public Health Partners with Bayer to Advance Thailand Medical Investment Hub Goals

Thailand's Ministry of Public Health has entered into a strategic collaboration with global healthcare enterprise Bayer to support the country's ambition of becoming a regional medical hub, focusing on strengthening clinical research sta...

Dulwich College Opens Multi-Billion Baht Sustainable Campus in Bangna to Expand International Education Infrastructure

Dulwich College Bangkok has officially opened its multi-billion baht sustainable campus in the Bangna district, bringing a major boost to international schooling options in Thailand and meeting the growing demand for world-class educatio...

Mercedes-Benz Reaffirms Thailand as Core Regional Hub with Bangkok Debuts of Flagship S-Class and Maybach Models

Mercedes-Benz has reinforced Thailand's position as its primary manufacturing and distribution center in Southeast Asia by unveiling its flagship S-Class and ultra-luxury Maybach models in Bangkok, underscoring the country's enduring app...

Gulf Energy Development Posts Twenty-Eight Percent Surge in Third Quarter Net Profit on Power and Advanced Info Service Gains

Gulf Energy Development posted a net profit of nine billion two hundred and eighty-nine million baht for the third quarter of two thousand twenty-six, marking a twenty-eight percent increase from a year earlier as robust performance in i...

Thailand Manufacturing Export Sector Captures Strong Momentum from Global Electronics and Technology Infrastructure Demand

Recent economic assessments highlighted by Thai commercial agencies emphasize that Thailand's manufacturing export sector is capturing robust momentum from global electronics and technology infrastructure demand, providing a crucial cush...

Thailand Ministry of Public Health Partners with Bayer to Accelerate Regional Medical and Pharmaceutical Hub Development

Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health has officially forged a strategic partnership with global healthcare leader Bayer to accelerate the nation's transition into a premier regional medical and pharmaceutical investment hub. The collabora...

Leapmotor Discusses Establishing Dedicated Electric Vehicle Production Facility with Thailand Board of Investment to Target International Export Markets

Executives from Leapmotor recently met with the Thailand Board of Investment to discuss establishing a dedicated production facility in the country, aiming to use it as a strategic export base for right-hand drive electric vehicles acros...

Tourism Authority of Thailand Reports Over Twenty-Five Million Arrivals as Winter Holiday Season Begins Across Bangkok, Phuket, and Chiang Mai

The Ministry of Tourism and Sports and the Tourism Authority of Thailand announced that international visitor arrivals reached twenty-five point four six million during the first ten months of the year, with long-haul travel picking up m...

Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Japanese Financial Institutions Host Bangkok Economic Forum to Deepen Green Energy and High-Tech Partnerships

The Advisor to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Arthayudh Srisamoot, delivered opening remarks at the Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation Group Thai Economy Forum 2026 at The Ritz-Carlton, Bangkok, bringing together public and private le...

Thailand Board of Investment Reports Foreign Direct Investment Surges Past One Point Seven Trillion Baht on Global Electronics and Artificial Intelligence Demand

The Board of Investment of Thailand revealed that cumulative investment application values for the first nine months of the year crossed one point seven trillion baht, driven by major multinational commitments in digital infrastructure, ...

Bank of Thailand Upgrades 2026 GDP Growth Forecast to 2.9 Percent Following Major Manufacturing and Export Data Revisions

Bank of Thailand Governor Vitai Ratanakorn announced that the country’s gross domestic product growth could reach up to 2.9 percent following sweeping statistical revisions to industrial production and factory output figures. Backed by a...

Thai Agricultural Authorities Report Sharp Year-On-Year Surge in Key Commodity Prices and Rural Incomes

Thailand experienced a strong year-on-year increase in prices for vital agricultural commodities including cassava, rubber, and rice, delivering a much-needed income boost to rural farming households and helping offset sluggish urban con...

Private Sector Industrial Associations Back Proposal to Raise Excise Tax on Imported Electric Vehicles to Thirty-Five Percent

Thai industrial associations formally endorsed a policy shift to increase excise taxes on imported battery electric and range-extended vehicles to thirty-five percent to protect local automotive manufacturing hubs, eight hundred thousand...

Thai Chamber of Commerce Reports Business Confidence Index Slumps to Thirty-Five-Month Low Amid Import Pressure

The Thai Chamber of Commerce announced that business confidence fell to its lowest level in thirty-five months, driven by heavy household debt, weak regional purchasing power, and intense pressure from cheap foreign imports flooding dome...

Real Estate Developer Sansiri Launches 6.3 Billion Baht Hua Hin Expansion to Capitalize on New High-Speed Rail Infrastructure

Leveraging the momentum of advancing national transport projects, major Thai real estate developer Sansiri has committed 6.3 billion baht to launch three new residential developments in the coastal city of Hua Hin. The massive capital in...

United States Tech Sell-Off Hits Thai Electronic Stocks But Could Accelerate Data Center Investment in Southeast Asia

A sharp sell-off in American technology equities, driven by fears of stricter artificial intelligence regulations following the United States midterm elections, has triggered immediate collateral drops in Thai electronic component stocks...

Thai Business Leaders Upgrade Economic Growth Forecast on Tech Export Surge While Smaller Firms Face Liquidity Crunch

The Joint Standing Committee on Commerce, Industry and Banking has raised Thailand's 2026 economic growth forecast to between 2.4 and 2.6 percent following a nearly nineteen percent jump in technology and manufacturing exports. However, ...

Key Economic and Tourism Trends Shaping Thailand's Late-Year Growth Outlook

Recent developments highlight several major shifts driving the Thai economy, including accelerated foreign direct investment in data centers, a policy push to localize electric vehicle manufacturing, and corporate profit growth fueled by...

Thailand Pilots Special Entertainment Zones in Bangkok to Boost Late-Year Tourism Spending

Ahead of the peak winter travel season, tourism officials have introduced a pilot regulatory regime for key Bangkok nightlife districts to run alongside major international cultural festivals. The initiative is designed to maximize the n...

Phuket Advances High-Value Tourism Strategy With Launch of Swiss Medical Wellness Resort

Montara Hospitality Group and Swiss brand Clinique La Prairie are opening a forty-villa medical wellness resort in Phuket this month. The project highlights a broader regional shift toward longevity tourism and reflects strong ongoing in...

Krabi International Airport Secures Major Winter Flight Expansion Connecting Direct to European Markets

Thai transport authorities have confirmed ninety-seven new winter charter flights and direct scheduled services connecting the Andaman coast to Scandinavia, Poland, and Finland. The routes allow European visitors to bypass layovers in Ba...

Thailand Sees Agricultural Export Revenues Jump as Global Rice Prices Hit Two-Year Highs

Shifting international trade dynamics and strong global demand have pushed Thai rice export prices to their highest levels in nearly two years. The surge is delivering a major revenue boost to Thailand's agricultural sector while reinfor...

Expanding Data Centers and Sustainable Aviation Fuel Drive Third-Quarter Profit Surges for Thai Energy Conglomerates

Leading Thai energy companies Gulf Energy Development and Bangchak Corporation posted exceptionally strong third-quarter financial results this week. The gains were largely driven by rising electricity demand from national telecommunicat...

Thailand to Hike Import Tariffs on Electric Vehicles in Bid to Drive Domestic Automotive Manufacturing

In a targeted move to boost local supply chains, the Thai government will increase the excise tax on fully imported electric vehicles to thirty-five percent starting in January 2027. The policy shift aims to push international automakers...

Thailand Introduces Fast-Track Investment Approvals Following Major Proposals from United States Corporations

Following formal pitches from thirty-three major American companies in the digital, artificial intelligence, and energy sectors, the Thai government has launched a FastPass scheme that cuts regulatory approval times in half. The initiati...

Major Thai Conglomerates Shift Capital Toward Regional Expansion and Smart Projects

Leading Thai corporate groups are increasing cross-border investments and joint ventures in markets like China while moving away from traditional land ownership toward integrated urban smart projects to offset sluggish domestic purchasin...

Thai Economic Planners Warn of Pressures from Household Debt and Rising Costs

Thai economic planners have flagged rising living costs and stubborn household debt as lower-income households face squeezed budgets, even as businesses across the kingdom ramp up investments in automation and low-carbon supply chains to...

Thailand Unveils New Tourism Plan Aiming for 4 Trillion Baht in Revenue

Thailand's National Tourism Policy Committee has formally approved the Fourth National Tourism Development Plan, which targets 4 trillion baht in revenue and a top-30 spot on the global Travel & Tourism Development Index by upgrading tra...

Dech Kiwkacha Becomes First Thai National to Win World's Best Pastry Chef Award in Boost for Bangkok Luxury Dining

Recognizing Thailand's successful evolution from a traditional street food hub to a center for premium international gastronomy, culinary professional Dech Kiwkacha has won the 2026 World's Best Pastry Chef title, a milestone expected to...

Advanced Info Service Expands 5G Network Sixty Kilometers Offshore to Modernize Thailand’s Marine Tourism Infrastructure

In a major infrastructure upgrade ahead of the peak travel season, telecommunications operator Advanced Info Service has deployed specialized technology to extend high-speed digital connectivity up to sixty kilometers offshore, aiming to...

Thai Tourism Authority Launches Major European Campaign in London to Secure One Point Five Billion Baht in Bookings

The Tourism Authority of Thailand has partnered with airlines and forty-seven hospitality groups at the World Travel Market in London to secure over one point five billion baht in future bookings, a strategic push designed to counter a r...

Major Thai Energy and Retail Corporations Report Robust Third-Quarter Profit Recovery

PTT Oil and Retail Business has reported a strong operational turnaround with five billion baht in net profit, while Global Power Synergy delivered solid nine-month profit growth, signaling stable domestic consumption and resilient infra...

Thai Aerospace Enterprise Reports Strong Revenue Growth Driven by Regional Satellite Data Demand

Highlighting Thailand's expanding footprint in advanced technology sectors, Global Space Technology reported a twenty-two percent revenue increase in the third quarter as the company captures growing regional demand for satellite-linked ...

Aviation Authorities Launch Optimized Thailand-China Flight Corridors to Reduce Airline Fuel Consumption

An international airspace optimization initiative has successfully established shorter direct flight routes between Thailand and China via Laos, enabling twenty-three commercial airlines to reduce travel times, cut operational costs, and...

Thai Innovation Agency Secures Hong Kong Partnership to Connect Domestic Startups with Global Capital

Thailand’s National Innovation Agency has established a strategic cross-border partnership with Hong Kong technology incubator Cyberport and venture capital firm Gobi Partners, creating a new investment corridor designed to help emerging...

Krabi International Airport Secures Direct European Flight Routes Ahead of Peak Tourist Season

Expanding international access to Thailand's Andaman coast, Krabi International Airport will begin receiving direct scheduled and charter flights from Copenhagen, Stockholm, Helsinki, and Warsaw this month, shifting long-haul traveler de...

Thai Cabinet Approves Higher Import Taxes on Electric Vehicles to Drive Domestic Manufacturing

In a strategic push to cement Thailand's position as a leading Southeast Asian automotive hub, the cabinet has approved increased taxes on imported electric vehicles starting next year, directly encouraging international automakers to bu...

Thailand Targets Four Trillion Baht in Revenue Under New Five-Year National Tourism Strategy

The Thai government is finalizing an ambitious five-year tourism development plan aimed at generating four trillion baht in revenue by focusing on sustainable sector growth, new cruise ship terminal construction, and attracting higher-sp...

Thai Business Council Upgrades Economic and Export Forecasts Following Manufacturing Rebound

Thailand’s Joint Standing Committee on Commerce, Industry and Banking has raised its economic growth forecast to two point six percent and sharply increased export projections to twenty-two percent, pointing to a strong recovery in facto...

Proposed Data Center Investments in Thailand Reach One Point Seven Trillion Baht as Government Accelerates Digital Infrastructure

Government officials and energy executives confirm that proposed data center investments across Thailand have surged to roughly one point seven trillion baht, driven by commitments from major United States technology companies including ...