Thai Times

Thailand Moves Tourist Entry Fee Plan Closer to Cabinet Approval

Regulators are preparing to submit a proposed 450-baht foreign tourist entry fee to the Cabinet after public consultations showed more than 80% support, with revenue intended for tourism infrastructure, heritage conservation and medical ...

Thailand Designates Eight New Economic Promotion Zones in Eastern Economic Corridor

Thailand’s Cabinet has acknowledged eight new special economic promotion zones covering industrial estates, smart logistics hubs and advanced medical centers, as the government seeks to attract foreign investment, modernize supply chains...

Thailand Anti-Corruption Agency Turns to AI and Digital Forensics in Eight-Point Overhaul

Thailand’s National Anti-Corruption Commission has launched an eight-point modernization plan using artificial intelligence and digital forensics to scrutinize asset declarations and financial irregularities, with a focus on tackling tra...

Thailand Targets 850,000 Middle Eastern Visitors in 2026 as Flight Capacity Expands

The Tourism Authority of Thailand is stepping up promotions across the Middle East with a goal of attracting 850,000 visitors by the end of 2026, supported by increased direct flights and additional high-season services. :chatgpt-content...

AssetWise Expands Phuket Project Pipeline With 18.5-Billion-Baht Revenue Target

Thai property developer AssetWise is expanding its residential project portfolio in Phuket as it targets 18.5 billion baht in revenue and seeks to capture demand from foreign investors and expatriates for premium coastal property. :chatg...

Siam Piwat to Invest $300 Million in ICONPHUKET Project for 2029 Opening

Thai retail and property developer Siam Piwat plans to invest $300 million in ICONPHUKET, a luxury retail and lifestyle complex scheduled to open in 2029 as investment grows around Phuket’s high-end tourism market. :chatgpt-content-refer...

Foreign Film and Television Productions Generate Record 7.51 Billion Baht in Thailand

International film and television productions generated a record 7.51 billion baht for Thailand, supported by expanded government incentives as the country strengthens its position as a Southeast Asian production destination. :chatgpt-co...

Thailand Advances 450-Baht Foreign Tourist Fee to Fund Insurance and Destination Upgrades

The Tourism and Sports Ministry is moving ahead with a proposed 450-baht visitor fee that is expected to raise at least 8 billion baht a year for medical insurance for international travellers and improvements at heavily visited destinat...

Thailand’s Long-Term Resident Visa Programme Draws More Than 12,000 Foreign Residents

Thailand’s Long-Term Resident visa programme has approved more than 12,000 high-potential foreign professionals, executives and remote workers over four years, generating an estimated $1.28 billion for the domestic economy. :chatgpt-cont...

Thai Airways Secures 50-Year Lease for 10-Billion-Baht U-Tapao Maintenance Hub

Thai Airways has secured a 50-year lease to develop a 10-billion-baht aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul facility at U-Tapao International Airport, supporting plans to expand the Eastern Economic Corridor as a regional aviation ce...

Bangkok Proposes 100-Billion-Baht Flood Defence Plan Over Five to Seven Years

Bangkok authorities have outlined a 100-billion-baht flood defence and climate resilience programme, including six major drainage tunnels and canal upgrades aimed at protecting key commercial areas over the next five to seven years. :cha...

Thailand Ranks Among Top Five Global Destinations for Manufacturing Relocation

Thailand’s geopolitical neutrality and established industrial infrastructure have helped place the country among the world’s top five destinations for multinational production relocation, supporting continued foreign investment in advanc...

Thai Household Debt Reaches 17-Year High of Nearly 795,000 Baht

Average household debt in Thailand has climbed to almost 795,000 baht, according to research by Ipsos and Kasikorn Research Center, while more than 60% of respondents remain pessimistic about the economy amid income pressure and tighter ...

Thailand Tourist Arrivals Jump 8.2% as Chinese Golden Week Travel Surges

International arrivals to Thailand rose 8.2% week on week, driven by a 41% increase in Chinese visitors during Golden Week and continued demand from India and Russia, providing important support for tourism revenue.

Thailand Accelerates 4.7 Billion Baht in Flood Relief as Monsoon Damage Hits Eastern Farms

The Thai government has ordered faster disbursement of 4.7 billion baht in emergency aid for flood-affected communities, as inundation damages more than 20,000 rai of durian orchards in Chanthaburi and Rayong and threatens agricultural e...

Thailand Flood Damage Estimated at 46 Billion Baht, GDP Growth Seen Slowing to 2.4%

Nationwide flooding is projected to cause about 46 billion baht in direct economic losses across 8.6 million rai of land, disrupting agriculture and infrastructure while weighing further on Thailand’s economic growth.

Thailand Unveils 2028–2032 Economic Plan to Lift Growth Above 3%

Thailand’s National Economic and Social Development Council has proposed a “TRUST” framework to move manufacturing into higher-value industries, improve government efficiency and raise the country’s long-term growth rate beyond 3%.

Bangkok Penthouse Sells for Record 600 Million Baht as Luxury Property Demand Rises

SCOPE Thonglor has sold a premium Bangkok penthouse for 600 million baht, highlighting strong demand and purchasing power in Thailand’s ultra-luxury residential property market.

Queen Sirikit Convention Center Becomes First in ASEAN to Secure International Information Security Certification

Bangkok’s Queen Sirikit National Convention Center has become the first venue in Southeast Asia to receive the international information security management certification, strengthening its position in competing for sensitive large-scale...

Asset World Revises Five-Year Investment Plan to Accelerate Luxury Hotel Expansion

Asset World Corporation has upgraded its five-year investment plan to expand its premium hotel and commercial property portfolio, reflecting confidence in the continued recovery of Thailand’s tourism and business events sectors.

Thailand’s Long-Term Resident Visa Programme Generates 43 Billion Baht in Four Years

Thailand’s Long-Term Resident visa programme has contributed 43 billion baht to the economy over four years, highlighting the impact of efforts to attract high-net-worth expatriates, digital nomads and international executives.

Thailand Unveils National Economic Plan Focused on Stability and Competitiveness

Thailand has announced a new economic framework aimed at supporting sustainable growth, upgrading infrastructure and industries, and reinforcing long-term confidence among international investors.

Italian-Thai Development Begins Leadership Transition After Premchai Karnasuta Steps Down

Italian-Thai Development has begun a generational leadership transition after long-serving chief executive Premchai Karnasuta stepped down following four decades at the company, leaving his successor to oversee a construction backlog wor...

Infineon Opens First Thailand Backend Chip Plant After 48 Billion Baht Investment

German semiconductor maker Infineon Technologies has opened its first backend manufacturing facility in Thailand following a 48 billion baht investment, expanding the country’s advanced electronics supply chain as regional demand grows f...

Thailand Climbs 10 Places to 38th in World Economic Forum Tourism Index

Thailand rose to 38th globally in the World Economic Forum Travel and Tourism Development Index after its score increased 5.6% to 4.35, placing the country fourth in Southeast Asia behind Singapore, Indonesia and Malaysia amid gains in a...

Thailand Records More Than 22.6 Million Foreign Arrivals as Chinese Visitor Numbers Surge

Thailand welcomed 22.666 million foreign visitors from January through late September, with weekly Chinese arrivals jumping 42.6% during the Mid-Autumn Festival and National Day Golden Week holidays alongside strong gains from South Kore...

Thailand and Airbus Advance Aerospace Center, Space Technology and Sustainable Aviation Fuel Partnership

Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul met senior Airbus executives at Government House to advance an aerospace Center of Excellence, satellite and space technology transfers, and wider production and use of Thai-made s...

Thailand Floods Cause 69 Billion Baht in Losses and Force Toyota, Honda Plant Suspensions

Severe flooding across 31 provinces and Bangkok from late September to early October has caused an estimated 69 billion baht in agricultural and supply chain losses, equal to 0.36% of GDP, while disrupting transport, food supplies, expor...

Thailand Launches Catastrophe Insurance Scheme and Emergency Relief Measures for Flood Victims

The government activated its national catastrophe insurance protection scheme on October 1 and introduced temporary administrative concessions for flood-affected residents, including simplified replacement of lost vehicle registration pl...

Thailand Issues Severe Weather Warning as Flood Crisis Deepens Across Bangkok and Central Regions

The Thai Meteorological Department warned of severe thunderstorms and heavy rainfall across upper Thailand, Bangkok and central provinces from October 4 to 10, raising the risk of further flood damage to agriculture, manufacturing and su...

Italian-Thai Development Chief Premchai Karnasuta Steps Down After Four Decades

Premchai Karnasuta is stepping down after four decades leading Italian-Thai Development, handing control to his son as the construction group manages liquidity pressures and a 100-billion-baht backlog of major state infrastructure projects.

Thailand Launches 75 Billion Baht National Disaster Insurance Program

Thailand has introduced a state-backed disaster insurance program providing 75 billion baht in coverage for households and businesses, aiming to speed recovery from climate-related losses after severe flooding across several provinces.

Chinese Airlines Add Bangkok Routes From Changsha and Jinghong

New direct flights linking Bangkok with the Chinese cities of Changsha and Jinghong are due to begin in late October, adding capacity as airlines respond to recovering Chinese travel demand ahead of the northern winter season.

Thai AirAsia Returns to Suvarnabhumi With Flights to Chiang Mai, Krabi and Phuket

Thai AirAsia has resumed domestic services from Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport to Chiang Mai, Krabi and Phuket, recording an inaugural load factor above 82% as the airline expands capacity and connections ahead of the high travel season.

Thailand Tourism Revenue Tops 1.1 Trillion Baht as Chinese Arrivals Rise

Thailand received more than 22.6 million foreign visitors in the first nine months of the year, generating over 1.1 trillion baht in tourism revenue as Chinese arrivals rose 42% week on week ahead of Golden Week and regional travel deman...

Thailand and Airbus Launch Aerospace and Sustainable Aviation Fuel Partnership

Thailand and Airbus have agreed to establish a regional Center of Excellence focused on aerospace technology transfer and the commercial development of Thai-made sustainable aviation fuel, alongside plans to position the country as the S...

Infineon Opens 100 Million Euro Semiconductor Facility Near Bangkok

German chipmaker Infineon Technologies has opened a 100 million euro backend production facility in Samut Prakan as part of a wider $1.4 billion investment program, expanding Thailand’s role in semiconductor supply chains serving electri...

Bangkok Draft City Plan Opens Floodway Zones to More Property Development

Urban planners have revised Bangkok’s comprehensive city plan to allow greater development rights in designated floodway zones, combining new flood-management requirements with expanded opportunities for real estate construction and land...

Asset World Corp and Westfield Plan 40 Billion Baht Retail Mega-Development in Thailand

Asset World Corp is partnering with global retail operator Westfield on a 40 billion baht commercial destination, bringing the international brand into Thailand as investment expands across premium retail, hospitality and large-scale rea...

Infineon Invests 48 Billion Baht in First Thailand Backend Semiconductor Facility

Infineon Technologies announced a 48 billion baht investment to establish its first backend semiconductor manufacturing facility in Thailand, strengthening the country’s efforts to expand its role in global microchip and advanced electro...

YOTEL to Open First Thailand Property in Bangkok This October

YOTEL will launch a 250-room hotel in a mixed-use development in Bangkok’s South Sukhumvit area, marking the international hospitality brand’s debut in Thailand and adding capacity for business travelers and digital nomads.

Thai Airways Restores Full International Schedule After Operational Restructuring

Thai Airways has mobilized additional personnel and resumed full international operations after restructuring its board and ground-handling model, while working to clear delayed cargo at Suvarnabhumi Airport.

Bank of Thailand Tightens Rules to Target Illicit Financial Flows

Thailand’s central bank is introducing stricter compliance requirements aimed at curbing grey-money transactions and improving transparency across the domestic financial system.

PTT Global Chemical and SCG Chemicals Advance Joint Venture Talks

Thailand’s two largest petrochemical groups are negotiating a potential joint venture targeted for October, with the companies seeking to improve supply-chain efficiency and strengthen their regional competitiveness.

Thailand Prepares 75 Billion Baht Plan to Support Household Solar Installations

Government policymakers are advancing a 75 billion baht program to subsidize residential solar panels, aiming to lower household energy costs while supporting domestic renewable-energy industries.