Thai Times

Taiwan Extends Visa Exemption for Thai Tourists as Bangkok Airport Enforces Dining Price Controls

Taiwan prolongs 14-day visa-free access through July 2027 while Airports of Thailand mandates capped food pricing and 50-baht combo meals at Suvarnabhumi International Airport.

Thailand Advances Tech and Sustainability Goals with First Lunar Payload, AI Leadership, and Carbon Capture Pilot

New national initiatives highlight Thailand's accelerating technological capabilities, featuring an indigenous lunar space payload, world-leading workplace AI adoption, and a joint Canadian cement carbon capture project.

Donald Trump Warns FIFA Against Ousting Gianni Infantino Amid Revolt by Global Football Leaders

The U.S. President publicly defended the embattled FIFA chief as major continental confederations demand accountability following a failed attempt to privatize World Cup commercial rights.

Rent-to-Own Housing Schemes Gain Attention Among Younger Thai Buyers Facing High Property Prices

Alternative housing finance models such as rent-to-own arrangements are attracting interest among younger Thai consumers as rising property prices make conventional home purchases more difficult.

Mekong River Commission Issues Flood Warnings for Thailand’s Northeastern Border Provinces

Rapidly rising upstream water levels after intense monsoon rains have prompted flood alerts in Nakhon Phanom and Mukdahan, with provincial authorities preparing evacuations in low-lying agricultural areas and taking measures to protect c...

Thai Authorities Examine Foreign Business Networks Under Bangkok’s ‘Huai Khwang Model’

Investigators examining commercial networks in Bangkok’s inner districts have raised concerns over foreign capital, non-Thai management structures and the use of undocumented foreign workers, prompting renewed calls for tighter oversight...

Thailand Moves to Tighten Firearm Controls Under Proposed Firearms Act Revisions

Deputy Prime Minister Pakorn has asked the Department of Provincial Administration and the Council of State to develop sweeping revisions to Thailand’s Firearms Act, with the proposed rules aimed at strengthening controls from weapon pur...

Thailand Marks Queen Sirikit’s Birthday Anniversary With Royal Ceremonies at the Grand Palace

Thailand held royal merit-making ceremonies at Bangkok’s Grand Palace and Temple of the Emerald Buddha on August twelve to mark the birthday anniversary of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit The Queen Mother, highlighting the country’s cultural h...

Thailand’s Stock Market Shows Resilience as Corporate Earnings Hold Up Amid Regional Volatility

The Stock Exchange of Thailand has remained relatively resilient in mid-August trading, with brokerages pointing to strong earnings in the petroleum and manufacturing sectors alongside continued foreign investment into the Eastern Econom...

Thai Airways to Resume Direct Bangkok-Xiamen Flights in October

Thai Airways will restore direct service between Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport and Xiamen in China’s Fujian province in October, using newly delivered narrow-body aircraft to serve business and tourism demand ahead of the winter travel ...

Thailand Extends Investment Incentives Through 2027 to Support Advanced Manufacturing and Green Technology

The Thailand Board of Investment has extended key investment promotion measures through 2027, with new projects required to adopt green technologies as the country pushes its automotive and industrial sectors toward higher-value manufact...

Thailand to Accelerate State Enterprise Investment in Transport, Energy and Digital Infrastructure

Thailand’s State Enterprise Policy Office plans to speed up investment by public enterprises across transport, energy and digital infrastructure as Bangkok prepares to host more than fifteen thousand delegates for the October Internation...

Thai Private Sector Raises 2026 Growth and Export Forecasts on Artificial Intelligence Demand

Thailand’s leading private-sector business committee has raised its annual export growth forecast to ten percent and upgraded its gross domestic product outlook, citing a forty-five percent surge in technology and electronic component sh...

Thailand Fast-Tracks More Than Seven Billion Dollars in Strategic Digital and Technology Investments

The Thailand Board of Investment has approved more than seven point five billion United States dollars in promoted investments, including eleven artificial intelligence data center projects in Bangkok and the Eastern Economic Corridor, t...

Thai University Unveils Low-Cost CAR-T Therapy Achieving 90 Percent Cancer Remission

Prince of Songkla University develops indigenous immunotherapy cutting treatment costs tenfold while achieving complete remission in advanced blood cancers and autoimmune cases.

Bangkok Bank and Business Leaders Push Deeper Thailand-Vietnam Trade and Investment Links

Bangkok Bank joined regional business leaders at the Thailand-Vietnam Business Forum to promote stronger supply-chain integration, cross-border trade corridors, digital payment interoperability and investment in sustainable manufacturing...

PTT Global Chemical Targets More Specialty Chemicals as Second-Quarter EBITDA Reaches 26.9 Billion Baht

PTT Global Chemical reported adjusted EBITDA of 26.9 billion baht for the second quarter and plans to shift its portfolio toward specialty chemicals, targeting a 70-to-30 commodity-to-specialty mix by 2030 as part of its Map Ta Phut tran...

Central Retail Acquires 30 MaxValu Stores to Expand Thailand Supermarket Footprint

Central Retail Corporation has acquired 30 MaxValu branches in Thailand, strengthening its position in the domestic supermarket market as retailers compete for recovering urban consumer spending and seek growth in higher-margin grocery s...

Thailand Opens Nationwide Corruption Probe After More Than 300 Million Baht in Sisaket Irregularities

The Department of Special Investigation is examining suspected financial misconduct involving municipal accounts in Sisaket province, while parliamentary anti-corruption committees monitor a broader inquiry into procurement practices and...

Thailand Tightens Nationwide Security Measures With Weapon Checkpoints and Special Task Forces

The Interior Ministry and national security agencies are stepping up action against illegal firearms trafficking and underground networks following recent public safety incidents, with authorities seeking to strengthen public confidence ...

Thailand Launches 4.4 Billion Baht Village Fund Initiative to Boost Household Liquidity and Local Spending

The government’s “Thai Help Thai” program will provide half-price interest financing through village funds, with Prime Minister-led economic teams seeking to ease local debt pressures and strengthen purchasing power and small businesses.

Thailand and Indonesia Set $20 Billion Trade Target Under New Strategic Partnership Roadmap

Thailand and Indonesia agreed on a 2026-to-2030 partnership plan during the first visit by a Thai prime minister to Jakarta in 15 years, with new direct air links also planned between Bangkok, Jakarta, Denpasar and Phuket.

Thailand Capital Markets Group Raises Year-End SET Index Target to 1,700 Points

The Federation of Thai Capital Market Organizations lifted its year-end benchmark forecast, citing expectations for resilient corporate earnings, supply-chain relocation and faster investment linked to artificial intelligence.

Thailand Approves 1.4 Trillion Baht of Investment Applications in First Half, Led by Digital and Electronics

The Thailand Board of Investment says first-half applications exceeded the full-year record set last year, with data centers, advanced electronics, printed circuit boards and digital infrastructure attracting much of the new investment.

Thailand Draws Record Foreign Investment Interest as Stock Market Turnover Surges

Foreign investors bought a net 48.9 billion baht of Thai equities in July, extending a three-month buying streak as average daily market turnover more than doubled year on year to 87.4 billion baht.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino Denies Affair Allegation as UEFA Confirms Payment to Former Employee

UEFA says a departure payment and MBA fees complied with staff rules then in force, while Infantino faces a separate governance revolt over his abandoned plan to bring private investors into FIFA’s World Cup business.

Thailand Launches Tech Forces Program to Train 25,000 Soldiers in Digital Skills

The Ministry of Digital Economy and Society and the Ministry of Defense will begin training 25,000 conscripts and volunteer soldiers in digital literacy and cybersecurity from September 2026, with the program designed to strengthen cyber...

Thailand’s Regional Cultural Festivals Drive Strong Tourism and Local Economic Activity

The Tourism Authority of Thailand and provincial authorities reported strong visitor turnout and increased local revenue from cultural and soft power festivals, including milestone celebrations in Phatthalung, supporting efforts to sprea...

Thailand Draws More Than One Trillion Baht in Foreign Investment Applications as AI Data Centers Expand

The Board of Investment reported that foreign direct investment applications have surpassed one trillion baht, driven largely by multinational technology companies investing in hyperscale artificial intelligence data centers and cloud in...

Thailand Launches Nationwide School Security and Student Mental Health Overhaul After Debsirin Nonthaburi Shooting

The Thai cabinet and relevant ministries are deploying psychological crisis response teams, tighter campus access controls and digital reporting systems following the mass shooting at Debsirin Nonthaburi School, with measures aimed at st...

Thailand Expands Digital Healthcare Infrastructure With AI Diagnostics and Patient Management Systems

Thailand’s National Health Security Office and medical technology providers are accelerating the rollout of artificial intelligence diagnostics and digital patient management platforms, strengthening healthcare capacity at regional facil...

Major Airlines Add Direct Flights to Bangkok and Phuket as International Travel Demand Strengthens

Global carriers are increasing flight frequencies and introducing direct services linking major European and Asian hubs with Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport and Phuket International Airport as demand for tourism and business travel rises.

Thailand Expands Renewable Energy Projects to Support Net-Zero Targets and Industrial Demand

Energy regulators and private operators are advancing utility-scale solar and wind projects across central and regional provinces, supporting cleaner electricity supplies for industrial areas and the country’s greenhouse gas reduction co...

Thailand Advances Bangkok Rail Extensions to Improve Metropolitan Transport Connectivity

Bangkok and regional transport authorities are moving ahead with construction plans for new electric rail extensions aimed at easing congestion and improving connections between residential and commercial districts across the capital.

Automakers Accelerate Electric Vehicle and Battery Investments Across Thailand’s Eastern Economic Corridor

Major international and domestic manufacturers are expanding electric vehicle assembly and battery production facilities across the Eastern Economic Corridor, strengthening Thailand’s role as a major automotive manufacturing base in the ...

Thailand Tourism Rebound Gains Momentum as European, Chinese and Middle Eastern Arrivals Rise

The Tourism Authority of Thailand said international visitor arrivals are accelerating ahead of the autumn peak, supported by expanded long-haul flights to Bangkok, Phuket and Chiang Mai and stronger demand for hotels, retail and other t...

Thailand Draws More Than One Trillion Baht in Foreign Investment Applications as AI Data Centers Expand

Thailand’s Board of Investment reported that first-quarter foreign direct investment applications exceeded one trillion baht, driven largely by global technology companies developing hyperscale artificial intelligence data centers and ad...

Hyper-Realistic Reborn Dolls Draw Collectors Seeking Comfort and Craft

Handmade dolls that can cost from hundreds of dollars to well into five figures are gaining attention through specialist conventions and online communities.

Gen Z Cuts Back on Dating as a Night Out Nears $200

Rising restaurant prices, transport, grooming costs and paid dating-app features are pushing many young adults towards cheaper dates, fewer outings or time away from the dating market.

Patients Turn to Artificial Intelligence for Therapy as Psychiatrists Warn of Privacy and Clinical Risks

Mental health professionals are drawing a sharp line between regulated clinical applications and general-purpose chatbots as vulnerable users seek accessible alternatives to traditional counseling.

Couples Embrace ‘Sleep Divorce’ to Protect Rest and Reduce Tension

Separate bedrooms or beds are becoming a practical choice for partners dealing with snoring, incompatible schedules and disrupted sleep, rather than an automatic sign of relationship trouble.

Meta Ordered to Pay $567 Million and Change Facebook and Instagram Safeguards for Children

A New Mexico judge added the award to a previous $375 million civil penalty after finding that Meta’s platforms harmed young users and failed to protect them adequately.

Success: Nvidia Turned Gaming Chips Into the Engine of the AI Boom

The company founded by Jensen Huang built machines that can do many small calculations at once—exactly what modern artificial intelligence needs.

AI’s Next Bottleneck Is Power, Not Just Nvidia Chips

As data centres multiply, technology companies are competing for electricity, grid connections and round-the-clock generation.

Advertising trick: Pepsi’s Harrier Jet Commercial Led to a $700,000 Court Fight

John Leonard tried to redeem seven million Pepsi Points for a military aircraft—and a federal judge decided whether the joke could be a contract.