Thai Times

Thailand Urges Hotels to Shift From Visitor Volume to AI-Driven, Higher-Value Growth

Thailand’s Tourism Ministry is encouraging hotels to adopt artificial intelligence, data analytics and automated revenue management as a 30% increase in room supply pressures rates and margins, despite international arrivals remaining st...

Thailand Uses Gastech and IMF-World Bank Meetings to Strengthen Bangkok’s Business Events Push

Thailand is using Gastech 2026 and the newly secured IMF-World Bank Annual Meetings to position Bangkok as a leading Asian business events hub, with major conferences expected to bring more than 50,000 international participants, generat...

Thailand Introduces More Flexible Visa Extensions for Long-Stay Visitors

Thailand has introduced rules allowing travelers from more than 50 countries to extend 30-day visa-exempt stays by another 30 days, as the government seeks to increase tourism revenue and attract more long-stay visitors and remote workers.

Thai Prime Minister Anutin Launches Global Roadshow to Attract Foreign Investment

Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul is launching an international investor roadshow to promote Thailand’s digital infrastructure, new-economy initiatives and listed companies as the government seeks to draw fresh foreign capital into Thai...

Central Group Unveils US$3.5 Billion Regional Expansion Plan

Thailand’s Central Group has announced a US$3.5 billion investment drive focused on Vietnam, expanding the retail and hospitality conglomerate’s presence in Southeast Asia’s growing consumer markets.

Bangkok Energy Summit Delivers More Than US$40 Billion in Commercial Agreements

Gastech 2026 in Bangkok concluded with more than US$40 billion in agreements spanning liquefied natural gas, power generation, petrochemicals and shipping, highlighting Thailand’s role in Southeast Asia’s energy investment and transition.

WHA Group and Industrial Developers Accelerate Investment in Smart Estates, Green Energy and Logistics

Major Thai industrial estate developers and logistics providers, led by WHA Group, are increasing capital spending on smart industrial zones, green energy microgrids and electric vehicle ecosystems as global manufacturers shift supply ch...

Thailand’s High-Tech Investment Boom Deepens Economic Divide as SME Closures and Household Debt Rise

Thailand continues to attract major foreign investment into advanced electronics, data centers and renewable energy manufacturing, but rising small and medium-sized enterprise closures, tight bank lending and high household debt are weak...

Thai Vietjet Targets 50-Aircraft Fleet as Government Promotes Regional Air Connectivity

Thai Vietjet plans to expand its fleet toward 50 aircraft while developing services such as Sky ConX and additional regional connections, supporting government efforts to channel more international travel and economic activity through Th...

Bangkok Rail Fares to Be Capped at 45 Baht Under Unified System From January 2027

Thailand plans to introduce integrated fares from January 1, 2027, with an initial charge of no more than 17 baht and a maximum fare of 45 baht per journey on participating urban rail lines, reducing repeated entry charges for connecting...

Amazing Thailand Ambassador Campaign Generates More Than 448 Million Impressions

The Tourism Authority of Thailand says its Amazing Thailand Ambassador campaign generated more than 448 million impressions across digital and media channels, supporting the country’s international destination marketing ahead of the high...

Thailand Ranks Second in Travel and Tour World’s 2026 Medical Tourism List

Travel and Tour World placed Thailand second in its 2026 medical-tourism ranking, citing the country’s established hospitals, specialist expertise, medical technology and tourism infrastructure.

Hero Motors Builds IPO Story Around Electric Powertrain Manufacturing in Thailand

Indian automotive-components group Hero Motors is using its Thai electric motor and transmission operations as part of its expansion strategy ahead of a planned initial public offering.

Airlines Expand Bangkok and Phuket Capacity Ahead of Thailand’s Winter Travel Season

Thai Airways and international carriers are adding services into Thailand, including new European connections to Bangkok and Phuket, as airlines prepare for stronger seasonal travel demand.

Bangkok Hosts Gastech 2026 as Global Energy Leaders Gather in Thailand

Gastech 2026 is bringing thousands of executives, policymakers and energy specialists to Bangkok from September 14 to 17 for discussions spanning natural gas, LNG, hydrogen, low-carbon technologies and energy security.

Thailand FastPass Adds 17 Investment Projects Worth More Than 121 Billion Baht

The Board of Investment has added 17 projects from 15 companies to its accelerated approval program, taking the Thailand FastPass pipeline to 42 projects worth more than 344 billion baht.

Thailand Projected to Attract 570 Billion Baht in Data Center Investment by 2030

Thailand could draw about 570 billion baht in data center investment between 2026 and 2030 as demand for artificial intelligence and cloud computing drives a major expansion of digital infrastructure.

CJ More Targets 100 Billion Baht Valuation Ahead of Planned 2029 IPO

Thai retail executive Sathien Sathientham is expanding the CJ More convenience store network into a broader lifestyle retail platform as the company targets a 100 billion baht valuation before a planned public listing in 2029.

Chery Produces 20,000 Electric Vehicles in Thailand Within Five Months

China’s Chery Group has assembled 20,000 electric vehicles in Thailand within five months, underscoring the rapid expansion of local production as global automakers build out Southeast Asian EV supply chains.

Siam Piwat Expands China Digital Partnerships to Reach More Than One Billion Consumers

Thai retail developer Siam Piwat is connecting its shopping and tourism destinations with major Chinese digital platforms to reach a potential audience of more than one billion consumers and attract higher-spending visitors to Thailand.

Isuzu Tests Seven-Minute Battery Swaps for Electric Trucks in Thailand

Isuzu has begun real-world trials with V.Cargo and HomePro of an electric truck battery-swapping system that takes about seven minutes, aiming to reduce charging downtime and assess the technology’s suitability for Thailand’s commercial ...

Thailand Launches AI-Backed Lending Program for Small Merchants Using Tung Ngern Sales Data

Thailand’s Finance Ministry has introduced an AI-supported lending scheme that uses actual sales records from the Tung Ngern payment app to help small merchants, self-employed workers and SMEs qualify for formal credit with less reliance...

Thailand’s MICE Industry Generates About 200 Billion Baht as Major International Events Return

Thailand’s meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions sector is generating about 200 billion baht as the country strengthens its position in regional business tourism and hosts major international gatherings including Gastech 2026...

Thailand Approves National Disaster Insurance Framework to Reduce Climate-Related Financial Risks

The Thai cabinet has approved a national disaster insurance framework intended to shift disaster management toward advance risk protection and reduce the financial impact of major natural disasters.

PTT Targets 15 Million Tonnes of Global LNG Trading by 2035

Thailand’s state-controlled energy group PTT plans to expand annual global liquefied natural gas trading from about three to four million tonnes to 10 million tonnes by 2030 and 15 million tonnes by 2035 as it strengthens supply diversif...

Thailand Approves 95 Billion Baht Upgrade to Lower Chao Phraya Irrigation System

The Thai cabinet approved a six-year, 95 billion baht irrigation project to improve water management and flood protection in the lower Chao Phraya basin, strengthening infrastructure important to agriculture and long-term economic develo...

Delta Electronics Thailand Pushes AI, Data Center and Power Infrastructure Investment

Delta Electronics Thailand brought together more than 200 executives, policymakers and financial leaders in Bangkok to advance investment in energy readiness, data centers and power management for artificial intelligence and smart manufa...

Thailand Targets 15 Million Tonnes of Annual LNG Trading by 2035

Thai energy officials and state-owned PTT outlined plans at the Gastech 2026 conference in Bangkok to develop Thailand as a regional energy investment hub and increase liquefied natural gas trading to 15 million tonnes a year by 2035.

Thailand Revises Tourist Entry Rules as 60-Day Visa Exemption Ends Sept. 15

Thailand will move from its 60-day visa exemption to revised 30-day and 15-day entry categories from Sept. 15, while continuing to promote the Destination Thailand Visa for digital nomads, remote workers and other international talent.

Amata and B.Grimm Accelerate Floating Solar and Green Energy Projects for Industrial Estates

Thai industrial and energy groups including Amata Corporation and B.Grimm Power are expanding floating solar and other green infrastructure projects to provide lower-cost, lower-carbon power for industrial estates and strengthen Thailand...

Thailand Launches AI-Based Loan Scheme for Micro-Merchants and Unbanked Vendors

The Finance Ministry and state financial institutions have introduced the “AI Bird Whisperer Loan,” using verified sales and transaction data from the Thung Ngern app to provide loans of up to three million baht with support from the Tha...

Thailand Targets 2.7 Trillion Baht in Tourism Revenue From 33 Million Foreign Visitors in 2026

The Tourism Authority of Thailand is targeting 2.7 trillion baht in tourism revenue and 33 million international arrivals in 2026, while encouraging operators to use artificial intelligence, big data and tighter cost management to improv...

Thailand Backs Gamescom Asia as Digital Economy Push Generates 270 Million Baht in Business Talks

Government support for gamescom asia has generated more than 270 million baht in immediate commercial negotiations as Thailand prepares for a 2026 collaboration with Thailand Game Show aimed at strengthening the country’s role in Southea...

Thai Business Leaders Call for AI, Data Center and EV Push to Strengthen Competitiveness

Executives from SCBX, CPF and Indorama Ventures used the Thairath Forum 2026 to urge faster economic modernization, highlighting domestic AI development, data center expansion and the electric vehicle supply chain as priorities for attra...

Siam Global House Expands Battery Storage Deployment Across Thailand

Siam Global House is rolling out battery energy storage systems across its Thai operations as the retailer increases investment in renewable energy technology, grid resilience and more sustainable commercial operations.

Thailand’s Healthcare Industry Combines Advanced Diagnostics With Traditional Wellness

Medical and hospitality providers in Bangkok are combining advanced diagnostic technology with traditional Thai wellness therapies as investment grows in longevity services and premium medical tourism.

Thailand Plans Visitor Fund to Finance Tourism Infrastructure and Foreign Tourist Insurance

Thailand is finalizing an international arrival levy expected to generate as much as 15 billion baht a year for tourism infrastructure, safety improvements, and health and accident insurance for foreign visitors.

Thailand FastPass Expedites 121 Billion Baht in Major Foreign Investment Projects

Thailand’s Board of Investment has approved faster processing for 17 industrial and technology projects worth more than 121 billion baht under its new FastPass system, aimed at reducing regulatory delays for international investors.

Chinese Golden Week Visitors Expected to Generate 11.5 Billion Baht for Thailand

The Tourism Authority of Thailand expects about 250,000 Chinese visitors during the Golden Week holiday, up 24% from a year earlier, with favorable exchange rates and new direct flights projected to generate more than 11.5 billion baht f...

Thailand Moves to Prevent Bangkok Airport Rail Link Shutdown at End of September

Deputy Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and transport officials are negotiating a short-term extension with the private operator to keep Bangkok’s Airport Rail Link running while authorities address financial and contractual disputes t...

Thailand Warns Climate Inaction Could Cost Economy Up to 14% of GDP

Thailand’s climate authorities warned that worsening climate volatility and tougher global environmental rules could put as much as 14% of gross domestic product at risk, prompting companies including Thai Airways, PTT and SCG to acceler...

Bank of Thailand and 11 Agencies Step Up Crackdown on Illicit Financial Networks

The Bank of Thailand is coordinating with 11 regulatory and law enforcement agencies to strengthen monitoring of suspicious transactions across cash, gold and digital assets, targeting transnational networks while seeking to protect cons...

Thailand Restructures EV Excise Taxes to Favor Local Manufacturing

Thailand’s National Electric Vehicle Policy Committee and Excise Department approved a three-tier tax framework that raises the burden on fully imported vehicles while offering preferential rates to automakers with local production and h...

Betagro Marks 59th Anniversary With “Shaping Our Future” Campaign

Betagro celebrated its 59th anniversary by highlighting its agricultural development, food-safety standards and international growth while introducing a new corporate mascot aimed at engaging modern consumers.