Thai Times

Thailand Gives Interior Ministry Expanded Power to Deport Foreigners Who Violate Laws or Disrupt Public Order

A new Prime Ministerial regulation taking effect today gives the Ministry of Interior greater authority to accelerate the deportation of foreign nationals involved in illegal activities, transnational crime or disturbances, creating a st...

Thailand’s Bank Branch Closures Reshape Commercial Real Estate and Urban Development

More than 2,200 bank branches have closed across Thailand over the past eight years as financial institutions shift toward digital services, freeing prime urban properties for potential conversion into residential, hospitality and commer...

Thailand Advances 200 Billion Baht Energy Transition Investment Framework After Emergency Loan Approval

The Thai government is moving ahead with a 200 billion baht investment framework focused on reducing fossil fuel dependence, expanding renewable energy infrastructure, developing electric vehicle facilities and training workers for the g...

Thailand Tourism Authority Targets High-Spending Travellers With Micro-Regional Campaigns

The Tourism Authority of Thailand is promoting sustainable travel in secondary cities and using targeted micro-regional campaigns to attract premium international travellers, particularly from China and Vietnam, ahead of the traditional ...

Thai AirAsia Restores Domestic and Regional Flight Capacity Ahead of Peak Tourism Season

Thai AirAsia is increasing fourth-quarter flight frequencies through its Bangkok and Phuket hubs and adding cross-regional routes as international arrivals and domestic travel recover and Thailand advances tourism stimulus initiatives.

Thailand’s Electric Vehicle Registrations Surpass 126,000 as Industry Seeks Stronger Local Manufacturing Support

Battery electric vehicle registrations exceeded 126,000 units in the first seven months of 2026, according to the Federation of Thai Industries, which is calling for tax changes to help Thailand shift from an internal combustion engine m...

Thailand’s Eastern Economic Corridor Attracts More Than One Trillion Baht in Data Center Investment

Applications for data center infrastructure in Thailand exceeded one trillion baht in early 2026, driven by major global technology companies expanding in Chonburi and Rayong to meet growing demand for cloud computing and digital services.

Bank of Thailand Holds Interest Rate at One Percent as Exports and Technology Investment Drive Growth

The Bank of Thailand unanimously kept its benchmark policy rate at one percent in August 2026, citing stronger-than-expected merchandise exports and private investment linked to the global artificial intelligence cycle despite weaker dom...

Thailand Secures More Than Thirty Billion Dollars in Electronics and Semiconductor Investment to Strengthen Regional AI Supply Chains

Thailand’s electronics sector has attracted more than thirty billion dollars across hundreds of projects since 2023, with recent investment led by global manufacturers expanding printed circuit board and semiconductor packaging capacity ...

TSA Unveils Major Airport-Security Overhaul as It Drops Gold+ Privatization Plan

The new Horizon 25 strategy will expand existing private-screening partnerships, upgrade TSA PreCheck, speed the introduction of new checkpoint technology and strengthen defenses against drones.

CIA Chief Warned Russia Against Attacking NATO in Secret Moscow Mission

John Ratcliffe delivered the warning during an unusual visit to Moscow as U.S. intelligence assesses that Vladimir Putin may be increasingly willing to test NATO with cyberattacks, sabotage or other limited operations.

The Secret Dolly Parton Kept Until Her Death: "She Was Much Sicker Than She Let On"

Dolly Parton reportedly concealed the severity of her cancer during the final months of her life, continuing to reassure fans even as her health deteriorated, leaving her bedridden, unable to travel and increasingly isolated before her d...

Thailand Moves to Overhaul Auto Excise Taxes as Chinese EV Imports Challenge Japanese Manufacturers

The Finance Ministry is accelerating changes to automotive excise taxes that would impose greater fiscal hurdles on fully imported electric vehicles while offering stronger incentives to domestic assemblers using local supply chains, as ...

Finance Minister Ekniti Sets Three Percent Growth Goal and Targets SET Index at 2,000 Points

At the Thailand Focus 2026 forum, Ekniti Nitithanprapas outlined reforms aimed at raising gross domestic investment from twenty percent to thirty percent of GDP within four years, alongside capital-market measures and a twelve-billion-do...

CP Group Subsidiary Seeks to End Thailand High-Speed Rail Contract and Halt Airport Rail Link Operations

Asia Era One has notified the State Railway of Thailand that it intends to terminate the Don Mueang–Suvarnabhumi–U-Tapao high-speed rail contract and stop operating the Airport Rail Link by September 30, prompting urgent talks over servi...

Glacier Collapse, Not Earthquake, Triggered Deadly Nepal-Tibet Flood

Glacier Collapse, Not Earthquake, Triggered Deadly Nepal-Tibet Flood

Scientists believe an enormous ice-rock avalanche blocked a Himalayan river before unleashing a fast-moving wall of water, mud and boulders across the border region.

Foreign Investors Return to Thai Stocks as Net Inflows Exceed 60 Billion Baht in 2026

The Stock Exchange of Thailand said foreign investors have recorded more than 60 billion baht in net inflows since the start of the year, while the benchmark index has risen nearly 30 percent from its previous lows as regional exchanges ...

CP Group Launches Program to Train Three Million Thais in Artificial Intelligence and Cloud Computing

Charoen Pokphand Group, through Arise Ventures and global technology partners, is rolling out a large-scale skills initiative aimed at expanding Thailand’s technology workforce and supporting the country’s growing digital economy.

Thailand Parliament Approves 400 Billion Baht Emergency Loan for Energy Security and Power Transition

The Thai House of Representatives approved the emergency borrowing decree by 285 votes to 141, authorizing the Finance Ministry to address energy volatility, stabilize utility costs and finance upgrades to the national power grid.

Magnolia Quality Development Unveils Ultra-Luxury Residences in Bangna With Dusit Hospitality Services

Magnolia Quality Development Corporation has launched Mulberry Grove The Forestias, a nature-focused luxury residential project in Bangna that will be managed by Dusit Thani’s hospitality division and target premium domestic and internat...

Thai FDA Approvals Support Expansion of Domestic Vaccine and Biopharmaceutical Production

Recent approvals by Thailand’s Food and Drug Administration are helping expand domestic biopharmaceutical manufacturing as the country seeks greater healthcare self-reliance and a stronger position as a regional medical hub.

Thailand Introduces Tax Incentives to Accelerate U-Tapao Airport City and Eastern Economic Corridor Investment

New tax measures are being introduced to support development around U-Tapao International Airport and Eastern Airport City, strengthening the Eastern Economic Corridor’s appeal for foreign investment in aviation, logistics and related in...

Synnex and Amazon Web Services See 1.2 Trillion Baht AI and Cloud Opportunity in Thailand

Synnex Thailand and Amazon Web Services estimate that wider adoption of artificial intelligence and cloud computing could generate as much as 1.2 trillion baht in economic value as Thai businesses accelerate digital investment.

Kasikorn Research Raises 2026 Thailand Tourism Forecast to 31.4 Million Foreign Arrivals

Kasikorn Research has lifted its forecast for international visitors to Thailand after more than 636,000 foreign arrivals were recorded in a single week, pointing to continued support for tourism revenues and the wider economy.

Thailand Attracts More Than $30 Billion in Electronics Investment as AI Hardware Manufacturing Expands

Thailand has attracted more than $30 billion in electronics investment since 2023, with printed circuit boards and advanced semiconductor packaging driving the expansion of the country’s technology manufacturing base.

Thai Business Closures Surge as Retail, Dining and Education Firms Face Rising Pressure

Thailand recorded 7,024 legal-entity closures in the first half of the year, with lost registered capital rising more than 200 percent to nearly 100 billion baht as e-commerce competition, higher operating costs and a declining birth rat...

Thailand Finance Minister Defends 400 Billion Baht Loan Decree as Shield Against Energy Shock

Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas told Parliament that failing to secure emergency funding could expose Thailand to a potential 600 billion baht energy-driven trade deficit, while the proposed borrowing would support consumers, limi...

Thailand Approves Four Capital Market Bills to Modernize Digital Finance Rules and Strengthen Investor Protection

Thailand’s Cabinet has approved legislation covering securities, derivatives, capital market trusts and digital assets, while giving Securities and Exchange Commission officials direct co-investigative powers to speed up fraud cases and ...

Thailand Local SDGs Plus Expo Showcases More Than 1,000 Products From All 76 Provinces

The Thailand Local SDGs Plus Expo 2026 brought together public and private-sector participants from August 21 to 23 at Bangkok’s Queen Sirikit National Convention Center, featuring more than 1,000 environmentally friendly products and bu...

Thailand Prepares to Debate 400 Billion Baht Energy and Economic Reform Loan

Thailand’s Finance Ministry is preparing for a parliamentary debate on August 26 over a royal decree authorizing a 400 billion baht loan, with Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas saying the funds would help ease energy cost pressures,...

Thailand Cabinet Approves Four Capital Market Bills to Modernize Digital-Economy Rules

Thailand’s Cabinet approved four bills on securities, futures contracts, capital market trusts and digital assets on August 25, giving Securities and Exchange Commission officials joint-investigator powers in serious market fraud cases a...

Thailand Positions Capital Markets, Tourism and Sustainable Investment as Key Growth Priorities

Recent developments in Thailand point to a broader focus on modernizing capital markets, expanding digital-asset investment frameworks, attracting global institutional investors, increasing tourism value and loyalty, and promoting sustai...

TPC Thailand Sets Six Investment Pillars Around Well-being Economy

TPC Thailand Office has unveiled a six-pillar corporate and investment roadmap under the theme “The Well-being Economy,” linking long-term commercial expansion with social and environmental impact across Thailand.

Thailand Tourism Authority Targets Five Percent Revenue Growth Under 2027 Transformation Strategy

The Tourism Authority of Thailand has unveiled “The Year of Transformation” for 2027, targeting at least five percent growth in tourism revenue while seeking a more balanced distribution of visitors between major and emerging provinces a...

Thailand Surpasses 20 Million Foreign Tourist Arrivals as 2026 Revenue Nears One Trillion Baht

Thailand recorded 20.32 million foreign tourist arrivals from January 1 through August 22, generating 984.32 billion baht in economic revenue, with China, Malaysia, India, Russia and South Korea among the leading source markets, accordin...

Thai SEC Seeks Public Input on Domestic Bitcoin and Ethereum ETF Framework

Thailand’s Securities and Exchange Commission opened a public consultation on August 24 on draft rules for domestic cryptocurrency exchange-traded funds, initially focused on Bitcoin and Ethereum, as regulators seek to broaden investment...

Thailand Stock Exchange Opens Thailand Focus 2026 to Attract Global Institutional Investors

The Stock Exchange of Thailand launched its Thailand Focus 2026 conference under the theme “Reignite Thailand,” with the August 26–28 event aimed at showcasing economic momentum, corporate resilience and high-tech investment opportunitie...

Thailand Cabinet Approves Four Capital Market Law Amendments to Strengthen SEC Investigations

Thailand’s Cabinet approved four capital market law amendments on August 25 to modernize securities rules, accommodate digital assets and electronic transactions, and allow Securities and Exchange Commission officials to act as joint inv...

Thailand Expands SME Credit and Debt Restructuring Measures to Ease Business Pressures

The Finance Ministry and financial regulators are expanding liquidity support and debt restructuring for small and medium-sized businesses through the SME Credit Boost, targeted interest-rate measures and cooperation with the Thai Credit...

Thailand and Regional Travel Groups Target Seven Million Visitors Through ASEAN Tourism Push

The Tourism Authority of Thailand and the Association of Thai Travel Agents have held business-to-business roadshows in Singapore and Malaysia, bringing together more than seventy Thai operators and over two hundred forty regional counte...

Thailand Advances Four-Hundred-and-Fifty-Baht Foreign Tourist Fee for 2027

Thailand’s National Tourism Policy Committee has advanced the regulatory framework for a four-hundred-and-fifty-baht fee on foreign tourists, with public hearings planned before a targeted early-2027 launch and revenues earmarked for tou...

Thai Tiew Thai Plus Campaign to Launch in October to Boost Domestic Tourism

Thailand’s tourism authorities and private-sector partners will launch the Thai Tiew Thai Plus campaign on October first to encourage domestic travel, support small and medium-sized tourism businesses and promote cross-regional trips to ...

Thailand and Qatar Expand Cooperation on Energy, Food Security and Medical Tourism

Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and Qatari Ambassador Abdulaziz Mohammed K. A. Al-Sada discussed stronger bilateral cooperation in energy, food security and high-value medical and wellness tourism, while Thailand...

Thailand Revises Data Centre Incentives to Tie Investment More Closely to National Benefits

The Thai government and Board of Investment are overhauling data centre investment incentives and screening rules as rapid digital infrastructure expansion increases pressure on electricity and water resources, with future approvals set ...

Thailand Targets Higher-Value Tourism With 2027 Transformation Strategy

The Tourism Authority of Thailand has set a 2027 tourism strategy aimed at increasing revenue by at least five percent from 2026 and achieving a sixty-forty split between major and emerging destinations, while preparing to launch Unseen ...