Thai Times

The rise and fall of Hui Ka Yan, China’s richest man

The former richest man in Asia, Evergrande Founder Hui Ka Yan, lost his fortune and all remaining personal assets after a Shenzhen court Sentenced to Life in Prison, convicted him over large-scale financial fraud, bribery and misuse of f...

Thailand Steps Up SME Credit Support as Household Debt Weighs on Domestic Demand

The Finance Ministry and state-backed financial institutions are expanding credit-easing and debt-consolidation measures to support struggling small businesses, as high household debt and weak consumption deepen the divide between Thaila...

Thailand’s Export Growth Surges on AI Demand and Chinese Manufacturing Relocation

Thai exports rose seventeen point six percent year on year in the first half of 2026, driven largely by the global artificial intelligence boom and Chinese manufacturers shifting production to Thailand to avoid trade tariffs, while offic...

Thailand Business Coalition Raises 2026 Growth Forecast as Technology Boom Widens K-Shaped Recovery

Thailand’s private-sector business coalition has raised its 2026 GDP growth forecast to one point six to two percent, citing stronger technology exports and foreign investment, but policymakers warn that capital-intensive sectors such as...

Bitcoin Surges Toward $80,000 as Short Squeeze and ETF Inflows Ignite Crypto Rally

Bitcoin touched $79,463 after a roughly 23% seven-day advance, while more than $4 billion in short positions were liquidated and U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs drew about $1.6 billion through Thursday.

Thailand and Vietnam Meet in ASEAN Hyundai Cup Final First Leg in Bangkok

Thailand faces defending champion Vietnam at Rajamangala National Stadium tonight in the first leg of the ASEAN Hyundai Cup 2026 final, with a record-extending eighth regional title at stake for Thailand and the match drawing strong nati...

Thai Conglomerates Pursue Renewable Energy and Smart Agriculture Deals in New Zealand

Deputy Prime Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas led executives from nine major Thai companies, including PTT, SCG, CPF and Central Group, in Auckland talks on renewable energy and smart agriculture ventures as Thailand and New Zealand move t...

Thailand Tightens Data Center Rules to Ensure Foreign Technology Projects Deliver Wider Economic Benefits

Thailand is revising its investment framework for data centers after approving forty-four projects worth about one point six trillion baht since 2024, with new oversight rules expected to require foreign operators to transfer knowledge, ...

Thailand Targets Fertility Tourism as Healthcare Sector Seeks Higher-Value International Demand

Thai healthcare providers and tourism authorities are expanding efforts to attract international patients seeking fertility treatment, building on the country's medical infrastructure, internationally accredited hospitals and established...

Thailand Competition Regulator Prepares New Rules for Ride-Hailing and Delivery Platforms

Thailand's competition regulator is finalising guidelines covering platform fees, trading terms and safety standards for ride-hailing and on-demand delivery services, seeking to establish clearer and more consistent conditions for digita...

Thailand Launches FastPass Initiative to Attract Australian Business and International Talent

The Thai government has presented a new FastPass system to Australian executives aimed at speeding up corporate expansion into Thailand, while labour authorities are restructuring work visa periods to better accommodate international pro...

Thailand Approves Nearly 450 Clean Energy Projects With Investment of Up to $2.61 Billion

The Energy Regulatory Commission has licensed almost four hundred and fifty renewable energy projects, attracting as much as two point six one billion dollars in foreign and domestic investment for solar, biomass and waste-to-energy deve...

Thailand Reassures Japanese Automakers as Industry Shifts Toward Hybrid and Electric Vehicles

Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul rejected reports that Japanese manufacturers are moving production bases out of Thailand and reaffirmed government support for established automotive investors, as companies including Honda prepare new ...

Foreign Investment Approvals in Thailand Rise as Technology and Manufacturing Projects Accelerate

Thailand approved twenty-six percent more foreign business activity in the first seven months of the year, with investments exceeding two hundred and nineteen billion baht as Singapore led by value and Board of Investment channels suppor...

Thailand and New Zealand Elevate Ties to Strategic Partnership as Leaders Target Major Trade Expansion

Prime Ministers Anutin Charnvirakul and Christopher Luxon signed a Joint Declaration on a Strategic Partnership in Wellington, setting a goal to raise bilateral trade to two hundred and forty-six billion baht by 2045, while Thai Airways ...

Twenty-Nine US States Take Meta to Trial Over Alleged Child Addiction on Instagram and Facebook

State prosecutors are demanding an end to algorithmic features like infinite scrolling and seeking hundreds of billions of dollars in penalties in a case that could force a fundamental redesign of social media.

Moderna and Merck's Personalized Cancer Vaccine Succeeds in Historic Late-Stage Melanoma Trial

A Phase 3 study involving more than 1,100 patients shows the customized mRNA treatment, given alongside an immunotherapy drug, significantly reduces the risk of skin cancer returning or spreading after surgery.

Thai Listed Companies Launch High-Yield Corporate Bonds to Raise Capital From Retail Investors

Companies including real estate developer Sansiri are offering digital bonds with yields of up to six percent to raise working capital and finance asset acquisitions, adding to a wave of domestic corporate fundraising this month.

Thailand’s TH-AI Passport Draws More Than One Million Registrations Ahead of August 31 Launch

The Ministry of Digital Economy and Society says more than one million people registered in two days for the AiPASS platform, which will provide up to five million Thai citizens with free access to more than thirty artificial intelligenc...

Thailand Prime Minister Anutin Begins New Zealand Visit to Expand Trade, Investment and Aviation Ties

Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul is holding talks with Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and New Zealand business leaders, with the visit focused on trade, foreign investment and potential aviation partnerships, including a stop at airc...

Bangkok Sees Stronger Demand for Premium Real Estate in Central Business Districts

Luxury developers are responding to rising demand for scarce freehold properties in Bangkok’s most prestigious commercial districts, with new projects targeting affluent domestic and international buyers.

Thailand’s Export Growth Outlook Strengthens Despite Broader Global Uncertainty

Strong shipments of automobiles and food products have helped Thailand outperform expectations and prompted a major upgrade to the country’s full-year export growth forecast.

Thailand Targets Higher-Yield Tourism Through Luxury and Wellness Travel

Thailand is shifting toward premium, health-focused and longer-stay visitors as the tourism sector seeks to increase spending per trip while reducing pressure on major destinations.

Thailand’s Eastern Economic Corridor Expands Advanced Manufacturing and Digital Infrastructure Investment

Investment activity in the Eastern Economic Corridor is increasingly focused on advanced manufacturing and digital infrastructure as Thailand seeks to attract higher-value technology and industrial projects.

Bangkok Luxury Property Market Gains Momentum as Demand Rises for Central District Homes

Developers are expanding ultra-luxury residential projects in Bangkok’s core business districts as affluent domestic and international buyers seek premium freehold properties in areas such as Sathon.

Thailand Urges Global Companies to Expand Southeast Asia Operations Through Investment

Deputy Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has called on multinational companies including Skyline Enterprises and T&G Global to increase direct investment in Thailand, promoting the country as a logistics and production base for Southeas...

Thailand Shifts Tourism Strategy Toward Higher-Spending and Longer-Stay Visitors

The Tourism Authority of Thailand is expanding luxury, wellness and extended-stay campaigns as it seeks to attract higher-value international travellers and raise average spending per trip to 2,400 dollars while improving sustainability ...

Thailand Tightens Oversight of AI and Data Center Investment Amid Rapid Digital Expansion

Thai authorities are introducing stronger environmental and energy screening for hyperscale data centers and artificial intelligence facilities as foreign investment accelerates, with the government seeking to align new projects with wat...

Thailand’s Eastern Economic Corridor Approves Tailored Incentives for Advanced Industry Projects

The Eastern Economic Corridor Policy Committee has approved its first customized investment packages for eight technology and manufacturing projects worth about 2.8 billion dollars, as Thailand seeks to attract more high-value investment...

Thailand Economy Grows 1.9% in Second Quarter as Export Forecast Is Raised to 15.1%

Thailand’s economy expanded faster than expected in the second quarter, prompting the National Economic and Social Development Council to sharply raise its full-year export growth forecast, with strong automotive and food shipments drivi...

Here Is What Can Never Happen in Your Country: Taiwan Is Giving Money to All Its People Because It Collected Too Much Tax

President Lai Ching-te says Taiwan plans to give eligible citizens NT$10,000 each next year, sharing the gains of stronger tax revenue and the AI-led technology boom without increasing net public debt.

Thailand Moves to Tighten Rules for Ride-Hailing and Delivery Platforms

The government is preparing stricter regulations for digital transport and delivery services to strengthen protections for platform workers and consumers as the gig economy becomes an increasingly important part of Thailand’s service sec...

Thailand’s 2026 Growth Outlook Remains at 2% as Weak Domestic Momentum Raises Concerns

Kasikorn Research Center maintained its two percent growth forecast after second-quarter GDP expanded one point nine percent, saying the stronger result was largely driven by inventory accumulation rather than a sustained recovery in con...

Northern Thailand Flooding Forces Emergency Repairs as Nan’s Transport Links Suffer Severe Damage

Severe flooding in Nan province has damaged critical roads and bridges, prompting the Department of Highways to deploy heavy machinery and emergency repair teams to restore transport routes and protect the flow of essential goods and ser...

Thailand Accelerates Suvarnabhumi Airport Automation Ahead of Winter Tourism Surge

Thailand’s Transport Ministry is speeding up the installation of automated terminal systems at Suvarnabhumi Airport as international passenger traffic is expected to exceed pre-pandemic levels during the winter season, with the upgrades ...

Thailand Offers New Incentives to Attract Semiconductor and AI Hardware Investment to Eastern Economic Corridor

The Eastern Economic Corridor Office is introducing stronger incentives for advanced semiconductor and artificial intelligence hardware manufacturing, including support for research and development hubs, as Thailand seeks to attract tech...

Thailand Advances Second Phase of Digital Wallet Stimulus With Targeted Support for Vulnerable Groups

Thailand’s Finance Ministry and the National Economic and Social Development Council are directing the second phase of the digital wallet programme toward vulnerable groups and local economies after the first phase produced positive but ...

Thailand Commerce Ministry Maintains Export Optimism Despite Regional Industrial Pressures

The Commerce Ministry remains positive about export growth despite manufacturing pressures in the region and domestic industrial challenges linked to excess petroleum diesel supplies, while continuing efforts to diversify Thailand’s inte...

Fairmont Hotels and Resorts Enters Thailand With Six Billion Baht Bangkok Revamp

Accor’s Fairmont Hotels and Resorts brand has officially entered Thailand following a six billion baht repositioning project in Bangkok, reflecting continued international interest in the country’s luxury hospitality market.

Thailand Tightens Shareholding Rules to Strengthen Capital Market Integrity

The Securities and Exchange Commission has introduced stricter rules on share ownership to prevent illicit funds and nominee structures from entering listed companies, with the measures aimed at improving transparency and investor confid...

Thailand Tourism Outlook Improves as High Season Approaches With Lower Airfares and Major Events

Tourism analysts expect international arrivals to decline less sharply than previously forecast, while lower airfares, airline promotions and major year-end gatherings, including meetings of the International Monetary Fund and World Bank...

Thailand Orders Review of Data Centre Policies as Digital Infrastructure Investment Accelerates

The government has ordered a comprehensive review of national data centre policies and regulations as foreign technology investment expands rapidly, with authorities seeking to oversee the sector’s growth while ensuring sustainable energ...

Thailand Unveils Economic Plan to Navigate Global Trade, Technology and Demographic Shifts

Commerce Minister Suphajee Suthumpun presented a national blueprint developed by the public-private Joint Committee on Economic Problem Solving, focusing on four economic pillars as Thailand responds to geopolitical change, digital techn...

Thailand Reports 37 Percent Surge in Foreign Investment to 219 Billion Baht

Foreign direct investment reached 219 billion baht in the latest period, up 37 percent, according to the Board of Investment, as international business confidence strengthens and manufacturing investment continues to expand along Thailan...

Thailand GDP Grows 1.9 Percent in Second Quarter on Strong Investment and Goods Exports

Thailand’s economy expanded 1.9 percent year on year in the second quarter of 2026, supported by a 9.1 percent rise in total investment and a 17.6 percent increase in goods exports, prompting the National Economic and Social Development ...

A Sleepless Night on Wall Street: Nasdaq to Begin Nearly Round-the-Clock Trading

Nasdaq plans to add an overnight session from December, extending trading in U.S. shares to nearly 23 hours a day and moving closer to a 24/7 market.

Thailand’s New Businesses and Foreign Investment Shift Toward Technology and Green Industries

Department of Business Development data show growing investment in data centers, artificial intelligence, renewable energy and healthcare, reflecting a broader shift toward higher-value industries as Thailand seeks to strengthen its role...

Bank of Thailand Cuts 2026 Growth Forecast to 2 Percent as Exports and Stimulus Support Demand

The Bank of Thailand expects the economy to grow 2 percent this year, with consumer stimulus and export growth of 12 to 13 percent supporting activity despite a temporary rise in inflation linked to energy prices and government spending.