Thai Times

AI Manager at San Francisco Store Recommends Firing Human Employee

Luna, an autonomous AI running Andon Market, moved to dismiss a worker who was late for 17 of 23 shifts; human supervisors reviewed and carried out the termination.

Google Launches Pixel 11 With Gemini AI at the Center of Its Hardware Strategy

Google Launches Pixel 11 With Gemini AI at the Center of Its Hardware Strategy

The new Pixel phones start at $899 alongside the Pixel Watch 5 and Google's first Pixel Tag tracker, as Google turns its devices into an increasingly integrated platform for Gemini.

Thailand Issues Flood Warnings for 39 Provinces as Authorities Monitor Heavy Rain

Thailand’s disaster authorities have warned 39 provinces across the North, Northeast and Central regions to prepare for flash floods and runoff, making severe weather one of the most immediate nationwide risks highlighted by Thai Rath’s ...

Thailand Prime Minister to Lead 14 Companies on Australia and New Zealand Trade and Investment Mission

Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul is due to visit Australia and New Zealand from August 17 to 22 with executives from 14 major Thai companies, including PTT, Gulf, Central Group, CPF and SCG. The governments are expected to discuss trad...

Thailand Plans 534-Kilometre Southern Double-Track Railway to Strengthen Malaysia Trade Link

Thailand is advancing a second phase of southern double-track rail covering 534 kilometres from Chumphon through Surat Thani and Hat Yai to Padang Besar on the Malaysian border. The initial 504-kilometre construction phase is budgeted at...

Bangkok Post Launches Premium Digital Subscription to Expand Reader-Funded Journalism

The Bangkok Post has introduced a premium digital subscription offering ad-light access and exclusive member events as the publisher seeks to increase reader revenue alongside its existing media operations.

Thailand Intensifies Crackdown on Illegal Foreign Nominee Businesses in Tourist Areas

Economic crime authorities and local police have conducted targeted operations in tourism centers including Hua Hin and Koh Samui to dismantle nominee business structures that violate foreign ownership rules.

Thailand Deploys Precision Irrigation to Protect Agriculture From Northern Drought Risks

Agricultural authorities are introducing advanced water-management systems and drought-resistant crops across northern and northeastern provinces to protect staple yields as dry conditions threaten farming.

Thailand Accelerates Electric Vehicle Supply Chain and Charging Infrastructure Investment

Automotive manufacturers and international partners are expanding battery assembly capacity and charging networks across Thailand, reinforcing the country’s push to build a broader electric vehicle manufacturing base.

Thailand Tourism Reaches Eighteen Point Five Million International Arrivals With Nearly Nine Hundred Billion Baht in Revenue

Thailand recorded eighteen point five million foreign arrivals and nearly nine hundred billion baht in tourism revenue, with Chinese, Malaysian and Indian travelers among the leading markets despite constraints on regional flight capacity.

Thailand Evaluates Greater Role in Myanmar’s Dawei Port and Regional Logistics Corridor

Thailand is considering increased financial and engineering participation in the Dawei deep-sea port project to strengthen maritime access to the Andaman Sea and expand regional logistics links.

Thailand Investment Pipeline Expected to Generate Six Hundred Thousand New Skilled Jobs

Thai economic planners say recent investment approvals in advanced electronics, artificial intelligence and other high-value industries could create hundreds of thousands of specialized technical jobs for the domestic workforce.

Thailand Fast-Tracks Aviation Infrastructure Upgrades as Annual Flights Approach One Million

The Ministry of Transport has ordered agencies to accelerate digital tower systems, weather radar and advanced air traffic management upgrades as Thailand prepares for rising passenger demand and more than one million flights annually.

Thailand Cabinet Approves Hat Yai Monorail to Strengthen Southern Transport and Tourism Links

The Thai government has endorsed the Hat Yai monorail project, accelerating plans to ease urban congestion and strengthen economic and cross-border tourism links with Malaysia.

Thailand Investment Inflows Surpass Five Hundred Billion Baht as Data Centers and AI Projects Drive Growth

Thailand’s Board of Investment reported more than five hundred billion baht in first-half investment, with realized investment reaching two hundred and fifty billion baht in the second quarter as digital data centers and smart electronic...

France's Constitutional Council Blocks Social Media Ban for Children Under 15

Judges ruled the nationwide restriction went too far in limiting freedom of expression and would have required age checks affecting every social-media user, dealing a major setback to President Emmanuel Macron.

Magnitude 7.7 Indonesia Earthquake Felt Across Southern Thailand as Authorities Review Coastal Preparedness

Tremors from the earthquake off Flores Island, which killed at least 47 people and caused widespread coastal devastation in Indonesia, were felt across five southern Thai provinces, prompting authorities to maintain heightened monitoring...

Thailand Prepares for Late-August US Tax Talks to Protect Export Competitiveness

Thai negotiators led by Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister Supachai will seek to demonstrate deep economic ties with the United States, including nearly 20 billion dollars in existing and planned Thai private investment and supp...

CP Axtra to Invest 15 Billion Baht in Happitat Bangna Lifestyle and Retail Megaproject

CP Axtra will open Happitat Bangna on August 21, 2026, transforming a 200,000-square-meter site in Bangkok’s eastern corridor into a lifestyle destination featuring a 30-rai urban forest, experiential retail and multi-generational commun...

Thailand Attracts New Investment in Advanced Food Processing and Agricultural Technology

Domestic and international companies are investing in value-added food processing, natural rubber products and agricultural technology, strengthening Thailand’s export-oriented food and agriculture industries.

Thailand Expects Steady Second-Half Economic Growth as Tourism and Public Investment Support Activity

Economic agencies expect continued momentum from infrastructure spending, government stimulus measures and a seasonal tourism recovery, supporting domestic activity through the second half of the year.

Thailand Approves New Logistics and Maritime Projects to Strengthen Global Trade Connectivity

Investment approvals covering container handling, port infrastructure and air cargo facilities are expanding the country’s transport capacity and improving connections between Thai trade corridors and international markets.

Thailand Expands Medical Infrastructure to Strengthen Global Medical Tourism Position

The Board of Investment has approved new specialized healthcare projects by major domestic hospital operators, adding capacity as Thailand continues to attract international patients and wellness travelers.

Thailand Reports Continued Tourism Growth as International Flight Capacity Expands

Visitor arrivals and tourism revenue remain strong in Bangkok, Phuket and Chiang Mai as increased air connectivity and targeted hospitality campaigns support regional travel demand.

Thailand Expands Electric Vehicle and Smart Manufacturing Investments Across Eastern Economic Corridor

Manufacturers are accelerating digital and energy-efficiency upgrades under specialized investment programs as Thailand seeks to improve export competitiveness and modernize production across its main industrial corridors.

Global Technology Companies Expand Cloud and Data Center Footprint Across Thailand

Technology operators and data center developers are expanding facilities in Bangkok, Chonburi, Rayong and Samut Prakan, supported by government incentives focused on green technology and sustainable digital infrastructure.

Thailand Launches FastPass System to Speed Approvals for Strategic Foreign Investment

The Thailand Board of Investment has introduced a new fast-track mechanism with service standards across government agencies to accelerate regulatory approvals and power connections for major international projects.

Hitachi and Global Manufacturers Expand Electric Vehicle Supply Chain Investments in Thailand

New investment incentives for advanced automotive component projects, including a major Hitachi initiative, are deepening Thailand’s role in electric vehicle manufacturing and strengthening supply chains across the Eastern Economic Corri...

Thailand Approves More Than $5 Billion in New Data Center and AI Infrastructure Investments

The Thailand Board of Investment has granted strategic promotion to major data center and cloud computing projects involving international technology companies, strengthening the country’s push to become a leading digital infrastructure ...

Thai Authorities Escalate Investigation Into Disputed Temple Land and Property Claims

Legal and administrative authorities have summoned key local figures, including the individual known as “Auntie Da,” as they investigate disputed boundaries, land deeds and alleged encroachment involving temple property.

Anutin Charnvirakul and Thaksin Shinawatra Hold High-Level Talks Amid Shifting Thai Political Dynamics

Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul met former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra in a private gathering as political figures navigate changing coalition dynamics and the balance of power within Thailand’s ruling admi...

Thai Footwear Brand Nanyang Blends Isan Heritage With Contemporary Fashion in Limited Edition

Nanyang’s “Nanyang x Phuwasit 2026 Edition” combines traditional Isan community imagery with modern styling and regional textile details, showing how local heritage can be used to strengthen brand identity and consumer appeal.

CP Axtra Prepares to Open Happitat Lifestyle and Retail Destination at True Digital Park

CP Axtra is completing preparations for the launch of Happitat at True Digital Park in Bangkok’s Bang Na district, a new community destination combining experiential retail, green public areas and collaborative digital spaces.

Thailand Tightens Oversight of Non-Bank Digital Financial Services

The Bank of Thailand and other financial regulators are strengthening compliance and monitoring requirements for non-bank financial institutions and digital payment providers as Thailand’s fintech sector continues to expand.

Global Automakers Expand Electric Vehicle Supply Chains in Thailand’s Eastern Economic Corridor

International automotive and battery-component manufacturers are increasing production capacity across Thailand’s Eastern Economic Corridor, reinforcing the country’s role in Southeast Asia’s electric vehicle and next-generation mobility...

Thailand Targets More Than Thirty-Five Million Foreign Tourists as Flight Capacity Expands

Thailand’s tourism authorities expect international arrivals to exceed thirty-five million this year, supported by stronger long-haul connectivity from Europe and the Middle East and continued demand from regional travelers.

Thailand Investment Commitments Strengthen as High-Tech and Artificial Intelligence Projects Expand

Thailand’s Board of Investment reported strong first-half investment activity, with advanced electronics, semiconductor ecosystems and regional cloud infrastructure attracting significant capital and foreign investment applications.

B.Grimm Power Reports Strong Second-Quarter Profit Growth and Declares Interim Dividend

B.Grimm Power reported a sharp rise in second-quarter net profit and declared an interim dividend of 18 satang per share, supported by operating efficiencies, cost controls and steady revenue from its domestic and international power gen...

Thailand Cabinet Approves Public Sector Workforce Reform to Cut Recurring Costs

The Thai Cabinet has approved a reform plan that caps public-sector staffing, expands digital administration and gradually removes 11 job lines as employees retire from fiscal 2027, with more than 30,000 positions targeted for eliminatio...

Thailand Launches “Made in Thailand” Industrial Drive Ahead of US Trade Talks

The Thai government is promoting domestic production in semiconductors, photonics and bioenergy while using public procurement to create demand for local defense, rail and medical equipment and helping small and medium-sized firms meet i...

Thailand's Eastern Economic Corridor Expands Electric Vehicle Manufacturing Capacity

Automakers from Japan, China and Europe are expanding production in Thailand's Eastern Economic Corridor, adding advanced electric vehicle assembly and intelligent mobility capabilities aimed at regional and international export markets.

Bangkok, Phuket and Chiang Mai Hotels See Strong Bookings Ahead of Peak Travel Season

Hotels and airline booking platforms in Bangkok, Phuket and Chiang Mai are reporting stronger advance reservations from European and Middle Eastern travelers as international flight capacity expands and Thailand targets higher-value tour...

Bank of Thailand Keeps Key Interest Rate at One Percent to Support Economic Recovery

The Bank of Thailand maintained its benchmark interest rate at one percent as resilient merchandise exports and technology-led private investment support recovery, while global economic volatility and supply-side inflation remain concerns.

Thailand Tourism Authority Wins Recognition for Low-Carbon Hospitality Initiatives

The Tourism Authority of Thailand has received Asia Responsible Enterprise Awards recognition for its CF-Hotels program, which has involved hundreds of properties in carbon reduction efforts and established low-carbon tourism models in K...

Thailand Draws Strong Foreign Investment in Semiconductors, Electronics and Digital Infrastructure

Thailand is seeing robust foreign investment applications, with global technology companies committing to advanced semiconductor packaging, printed circuit boards and data center infrastructure, reinforcing the country's role as a region...

China’s Kimi Launches AI-Focused Credit Card With Agricultural Bank of China and American Express

The July launch links credit-card spending and rewards to Kimi memberships and AI computing benefits, although some claims about conversational banking functions go beyond what the companies’ official materials currently confirm.

Thailand’s 2026 Advertising Market Set to Stay Flat as Brands Shift Spending to Digital Commerce

Media Intelligence Group expects Thailand’s advertising expenditure to remain around 86.2 billion baht in 2026 as brands redirect spending from traditional media toward digital commerce, with artificial intelligence search tools and digi...

Honda Thailand Launches 619,000-Baht Hybrid as Japanese Automakers Face Chinese EV Competition

Honda Automobile Thailand has introduced a new entry-level hybrid priced at 619,000 baht as part of its 2026 lineup, using aggressive pricing to defend its position in Thailand’s city-car market as heavily discounted Chinese electric veh...