Thai Times

Thailand Approves Labor Agreement to Recruit Sri Lankan Workers for Manufacturing Sector

The Thai Cabinet authorized a memorandum of understanding allowing workers to be recruited from Sri Lanka under a state-regulated system designed to ease industrial labor shortages, strengthen legal recruitment and support factory produc...

Thai Cabinet Approves New Suvarnabhumi Airport Ground Handling and Cargo Joint Venture

Thailand approved AOT Ground Aviation Services to operate expanded ground handling and cargo terminal facilities at Suvarnabhumi Airport, aiming to improve turnaround times and freight capacity as passenger and air cargo demand grows.

Thailand Telecom Regulator Meeting Collapses for Ninth Time Amid Chairman Disqualification Dispute

The National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission failed to convene for a ninth consecutive meeting as an unresolved dispute over its chairman continues to block decisions on spectrum management, satellite orbit allocations and...

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

The Tourism Authority of Thailand is aiming for 33 million international arrivals through stronger aviation links and marketing focused on higher-spending travelers from Asian and European markets.

Thailand Cuts Visa-Free Stay Back to 30 Days for 60 Nationalities

Immigration authorities said the temporary 60-day visa exemption will return to 30 days from mid-September as Thailand seeks tighter border controls while preserving easy entry for legitimate tourists.

Bangkok Orders Energy Audits of 47 Data Centers as Digital Infrastructure Expands

Governor Chadchart Sittipunt ordered assessments of 47 data centers in Bangkok to measure their impact on the capital’s electricity network and strengthen environmental standards for the fast-growing sector.

Thailand Advances Small Modular Nuclear Reactor Plans to Power Industrial Growth

The Energy Ministry and national utility regulators are preparing for possible small modular reactor deployment under the next National Energy Plan as electricity demand rises from data centers and electric-vehicle manufacturing.

Thailand Approves $29 Billion Wave of AI and Cloud Infrastructure Investment

The Board of Investment approved six digital infrastructure projects worth 958 billion baht, led by a major TikTok data center expansion, as Thailand seeks to strengthen its position in Southeast Asia’s cloud and technology sector.

AI and Cloud Investment Pushes Up Prices for Power-Rich Thai Industrial Land

Demand from data centre operators is lifting prime industrial land prices in Thailand from about 4.5 million baht to as much as 8 million baht per rai, with access to high-capacity electricity becoming more important than location for hy...

Thailand Weighs Sharp Excise Tax Increase on Imported EVs to Support Local Manufacturing

Thailand’s EV Board is preparing an excise tax overhaul that could raise rates on imported electric and range-extended vehicles from 10% to 31%-39%, aiming to close regulatory loopholes and reduce pressure on domestic auto parts producers.

Bank of Thailand Plans Tighter Buy Now, Pay Later Rules as Household Debt Rises

The Bank of Thailand plans stricter regulation of Buy Now, Pay Later services by the end of 2026 as household debt reaches 13.67 trillion baht and easier digital credit draws younger consumers into borrowing earlier.

Thailand Targets Long-Haul and Asian Visitors With Peak-Season Tourism Push

The Tourism Authority of Thailand, airlines and hospitality operators are expanding promotions and flight capacity to attract more visitors from long-haul European markets and emerging Asian economies, with the campaign aimed at supporti...

Thailand Automakers Accelerate EV and Smart Manufacturing Investment in Eastern Economic Corridor

Major industrial groups and automotive manufacturers are expanding investment in advanced electric vehicle production and smart manufacturing in Thailand’s Eastern Economic Corridor, supported by Board of Investment incentives aimed at s...

Thailand Banks and Regulators Step Up Cybersecurity Measures Against Financial Fraud

The Bank of Thailand, commercial banks and telecommunications regulators are rolling out faster technological safeguards and unified verification protocols to curb financial fraud and unauthorised digital account transactions, strengthen...

Thailand Eases Foreign Business Licensing Rules to Reduce Investment Barriers

Thailand published new ministerial regulations granting additional exemptions from foreign business licensing requirements, reducing regulatory barriers for international investors in selected sectors where domestic markets are considere...

Thailand Raises Export Growth Forecast to 12%-16% on Strong Overseas Demand

Thailand’s Joint Standing Committee on Commerce, Industry and Banking raised its merchandise export growth forecast to between 12% and 16%, supported by strong international demand for manufactured goods, electronics and agricultural pro...

Thailand Raises Full-Year GDP Growth Forecast to 2.1%-2.5%

Thailand’s Joint Standing Committee on Commerce, Industry and Banking raised its full-year economic growth forecast to between 2.1% and 2.5%, citing stronger-than-expected exports and improving private investment momentum.

Thailand Cuts Visa-Exempt Stay to 30 Days From September 15

Thailand’s Ministry of Interior published regulations confirming that visitors from 60 countries and territories under the visa-exemption scheme will be limited to a maximum stay of 30 days from September 15, as authorities seek to balan...

Thailand Investment Applications Top 1 Trillion Baht on Digital and AI Projects

Thailand’s Board of Investment said investment applications exceeded 1 trillion baht, driven by major commitments to digital infrastructure, cloud services, electronics and artificial intelligence supply chains from investors including S...

Thailand Plans Insurance-Based Overhaul of Civil Service Medical Payments

The Finance Ministry is advancing plans to replace traditional medical reimbursements for government personnel with an integrated insurance-based system aimed at reducing budget leakage while maintaining standardized healthcare coverage ...

Thailand Industrial Land Prices Surge as Data Centers Compete for Power and Fiber Access

Land prices in high-capacity industrial zones have risen from about 4 million baht to 8 million baht per rai as hyperscale data center operators compete for sites with reliable electricity and strong fiber-optic connectivity.

Bank of Thailand Plans Tighter Buy Now, Pay Later Rules by End-2026

The Bank of Thailand is preparing stricter regulation of Buy Now, Pay Later services by the end of 2026 to curb hidden consumer debt as households increasingly accumulate overlapping liabilities through easy-access digital credit platforms.

Thailand Expands Digital Finance as PromptPay Accounts Surpass 83 Million

The Stock Exchange of Thailand and Bank of Thailand reported continued growth in digital financial infrastructure, with PromptPay exceeding 83 million accounts, as regulators tighten cybersecurity standards and update listing rules for h...

Thai Business Leaders Call for Long-Term Investment to Break Low-Growth Cycle

Executives from Charoen Pokphand Group, Kasikornbank, B. Grimm and Indorama Ventures told the Bangkok Business Summit 2026 that Thailand needs coordinated investment in agricultural technology, digital infrastructure and human capital to...

Thailand Prepares to Host 2026 IMF and World Bank Annual Meetings

Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and senior financial officials said Thailand will use the October 2026 meetings to promote regional links in clean energy, advanced payments and medical tourism while highlighting opportunities tied to ...

Pattaya Advances International Film City Plan to Attract Global Productions

Pattaya is moving forward with plans to become an international film production hub, using municipal incentives, streamlined permits and coastal locations to attract major studios and global streaming projects.

Minor International Partners With Accenture to Expand AI Use Across Global Hospitality Operations

Bangkok-based Minor International is working with Accenture to introduce advanced artificial intelligence tools and train employees across its international hotel and restaurant businesses, targeting greater operational efficiency and im...

Stock Exchange of Thailand Eases Listing Rules for Technology and New-Economy Firms

The Stock Exchange of Thailand has revised listing requirements to lower barriers for high-growth technology startups and new-economy companies, aiming to broaden access to domestic capital markets and attract venture-backed businesses.

Thailand Business Summit Pushes Regional Integration and Supply Chain Resilience

Finance Ministry officials and business leaders meeting in Bangkok called for deeper regional economic integration and stronger supply chains to counter global trade frictions and sustain investor confidence.

Thailand Maintains Full-Year Tourism Outlook Despite 3% Drop in Early Arrivals

Thailand’s tourism authorities said annual visitor and revenue forecasts remain stable despite a 3% year-on-year decline in foreign arrivals during the first eight months, supported by stronger demand from China and regional markets.

Thailand Urges 500,000 New State Welfare Card Recipients to Complete Identity Checks

The Finance Ministry is asking more than 500,000 newly eligible welfare recipients to complete electronic identity verification before benefits begin on October 1, as the government seeks to direct targeted support efficiently to lower-i...

Thailand Moves to Establish National Disaster Insurance System by September 2026

The Thai government is finalizing a state-backed disaster insurance framework with subsidized premiums for vulnerable sectors while preparing 9,000-baht relief payments from September 8 for households affected by severe flooding in the n...

Thai Business Leaders Call for Structural Economic Shift Beyond Low-Cost Manufacturing

Senior executives from SCBX and Charoen Pokphand Foods told the Thairath Forum 2026 that Thailand must move from competing primarily on low production costs toward a value-driven model built around localized supply chains, technology inv...

Thailand Tourism Sector Turns to AI and Higher-Yield Visitors as Hotel Supply Outpaces Demand

Tourism Minister Surasak Pancharoenworakul urged hotels to adopt artificial intelligence, revenue-management technology and tighter energy controls after a 30% increase in accommodation supply pushed average daily room rates down 3% desp...

World Bank Urges Thailand to Lift Per-Capita Growth to 5.4% to Reach High-Income Status by 2037

The World Bank said Thailand must accelerate structural reforms and investment in advanced manufacturing, sustainable tourism, digital services, agribusiness and creative industries after post-pandemic growth averaged just 2.2%, warning ...

Thailand Targets 7,000 Regulatory Barriers in Push for Foreign Investment and Advanced Manufacturing

Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul announced a broad deregulation drive aimed at removing more than 7,000 investment obstacles as Thailand seeks to position itself as an ASEAN supply-chain hub while expanding advanced manufacturing, arti...

USS Abraham Lincoln Port Visit Boosts Pattaya Hotels, Restaurants and Retail

Thousands of U.S. military personnel visiting Pattaya aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln generated a short-term increase in demand across the resort city’s hospitality, restaurant and service sectors.

Thai Airways Suspends Jakarta Flights After Indonesian Volcanic Eruption

Thai Airways temporarily cancelled several services to Jakarta after the eruption of Mount Krakatoa, citing aviation safety concerns arising from the regional volcanic disruption.

Thailand Links AI Development With Agricultural Modernisation in New Industrial Strategy

The Industry Ministry outlined a framework combining artificial-intelligence development with upgrades to agricultural supply chains as the government seeks broader and more resilient economic growth ahead of the IMF and World Bank annua...

Thailand Adjusts Visa-Free Entry Period to 30 Days for Tourists From More Than 60 Countries

The Interior Ministry recalibrated the visa exemption framework as Thailand seeks to balance border security with higher-value tourism and expand longer-stay options through its electronic visa system.

Thailand Prepares to Host Gastech 2026 as It Pursues Regional LNG Hub Ambitions

Bangkok will host the global energy exhibition as the government promotes Eastern Economic Corridor infrastructure, direct power-purchase agreements for data centres and Thailand’s role as an energy trading link in Southeast Asia.

Thailand Fast-Tracks Investment Incentives for U-Tapao Aviation City

The Eastern Economic Corridor is accelerating promotional privileges for companies investing in the U-Tapao Aviation City project as Thailand seeks to expand its role in aerospace, logistics and advanced manufacturing.

Thailand Surpasses 20 Million Foreign Visitors as Tourism Revenue Approaches 1 Trillion Baht

Thailand generated more than 984 billion baht from international tourism through late August, supported by visitors from China, Malaysia, India and Russia, as authorities target luxury, millennial and wellness travellers to sustain growth.

Stock Exchange of Thailand Eases Listing Rules for AI and New-Economy Companies

The Stock Exchange of Thailand introduced revised listing criteria for 10 targeted future industries, including advanced healthcare and smart electronics, as it seeks to make fundraising easier for technology-focused businesses and Easte...