Thai Times

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 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...

Thailand Advances Green and AI Hub Strategy After $27 Billion Technology Investment Surge

Thailand is developing unified environmental standards and new financial incentives after the Board of Investment approved 886 billion baht in artificial intelligence and data-centre projects during the first half of the year.

Spicy Food Is Linked to Lower Death Risk — but It Is Not a Miracle Cure

Large studies associate regular chilli consumption with lower overall and heart-disease mortality, while evidence on cancer, ageing and digestive health remains intriguing but inconclusive.

Thai SMEs Squeezed as E-Commerce Costs Consume Up to 40% of Sales

Thai small and medium-sized businesses are facing mounting pressure as platform fees, advertising and delivery commissions absorb between 22% and 40% of sales, leaving average net margins near 2.3% and prompting efforts to develop lower-...

Thailand Targets Regulatory Overhaul and Higher-Value Investment in Push for High-Income Status

Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and business leaders outlined plans to streamline more than 7,000 outdated regulations and expand investment in digital infrastructure, agricultural technology and human capital as Thailand seeks strong...

Thailand Moves to Tighten Data Center Rules as Rapid Expansion Raises Environmental Concerns

Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas convened the first meeting of Thailand’s new Data Center Business Policy Committee to close regulatory loopholes and strengthen environmental oversight while preserving the...

Thailand Cuts Visa-Free Tourist Stay From 60 Days to 30

Thailand’s Interior Ministry reduced the visa-free stay available to visitors from 60 countries to 30 days from mid-September, citing national security concerns and reports that some foreign nationals were using longer stays for illegal ...

Thai Senate Approves 400 Billion Baht Loan Decree for Economic Stimulus and Clean Energy

Thailand’s Senate approved a 400 billion baht government borrowing plan to support economic recovery, infrastructure investment and the transition toward renewable energy, linking near-term stimulus with efforts to reduce dependence on f...

Thailand Freezes 166 Data Centre Projects Pending New Safety Rules

The Thai government suspended construction of 49 data centres and froze approvals for another 117 proposed facilities while new safety and oversight standards are prepared, potentially delaying major technology investment linked to the A...

Thailand to Introduce New 30-Day Visa-Free Stays and Tourism Incentives

Thailand plans to introduce new 30-day visa-free stay provisions from mid-September, alongside airline incentives including complimentary agricultural baggage allowances, as authorities seek to support international arrivals during the p...

Udon Thani Gains Direct Kunming Flights Ahead of 2026 Horticultural Expo

Lucky Air launched direct charter services between Kunming and Udon Thani, improving international access to northeastern Thailand as the province prepares to host the 2026 International Horticultural Expo.

Pattaya to Host Thailand’s First DreamWorks Animation Hotel

Developers announced an integrated tourism project in Pattaya featuring Thailand’s first DreamWorks Animation hotel, along with themed accommodation, water parks and beachside wellness facilities aimed at expanding family tourism in the ...

Minor International Partners With Accenture on Artificial Intelligence Training Across Hospitality Operations

Bangkok-based Minor International is working with Accenture to introduce Artificial Intelligence tools and training across its global workforce, with the collaboration aimed at improving productivity, customer service and digital capabil...

Delta Electronics Expands Artificial Intelligence and Electrification Push in Thailand

Delta Electronics Thailand unveiled Artificial Intelligence infrastructure, modular data-centre systems and smart microgrids in Bangkok as the company seeks to support more automated manufacturing and advanced industrial operations.

Stock Exchange of Thailand Revises Listing Rules to Attract Technology and New Economy Companies

The Stock Exchange of Thailand has updated its listing framework to better accommodate fast-growing digital and technology businesses, aiming to broaden access to capital and strengthen Bangkok’s appeal as a regional financial market.

Thailand Advances 70 Billion Baht Infrastructure Fund for Major National Projects

The State Enterprise Policy Office is moving forward with plans to raise 70 billion baht through a state-backed infrastructure fund, creating an alternative financing channel for large transport and utility projects without relying direc...