Economy

18 September 2024
U.K. Trade Minister Douglas Alexander tells Nikkei Asia in Bangkok that the new Labour government sees Southeast Asia as a key 'growth engine' for its trade policy. He was speaking on Sept. 18 ahead of signing an enhanced trade partnership with his Thai counterpart. (Photo by Shinya Sawai)
After the weekly cabinet meeting, Thai Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira finally provided initial disbursement details on Pheu Thai's long-delayed 10,000 baht handout scheme that has caused concern in financial circles, including at the Bank of Thailand. (Photo by Adryel Talamantes)
Economy

Thai cabinet approves first tranche of 10,000 baht handout

Flagship Pheu Thai scheme to prioritize poor and disabled this month

17 September 2024
Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra delivers her government's policy proposal to parliament in Bangkok on Sept. 12. 
Economy

Thai PM Paetongtarn pleads for stability to stimulate economic revival

New leader guarantees medical marijuana, pitches casino complexes

17 September 2024
The government has struggled to make good on a populist money handout campaign promise by Pheu Thai, the main party in the governing coalition. 
Economy

Thailand expects less than 40m to get handouts, official says

Some 36 million have already registered for controversial economic stimulus

16 September 2024
The Thai baht gained 6% against the dollar between Aug. 1 and Sept. 12 thanks partly to a rise in exports.
Currencies

Thai, Malaysian and Indonesian currencies gain as dollar weakens

Southeast Asia enjoys growth; political fears sink Turkish lira, Mexican peso

14 September 2024
A gamer tests out a game at the Thailand Game Show 2022. The Thai government aims to promote the country as a regional hub for online games.
Media & Entertainment

Thailand aims to build soft power by nurturing gaming industry

New law to be enacted next year as government anticipates growth for the sector

9 September 2024
Container ships at Laem Chabang port in Thailand: The country's exports jumped in July, helped by lower inflation and improved consumer purchasing power. (Photo by Akira Kodaka) 
Trade

Thailand, Malaysia see strong export rebound on tech upcycle

Trade-oriented ASEAN countries logged double-digit growth in July

30 August 2024
Already elevated rice prices in Bangladesh may rise further as severe floods affect crops and distribution nationwide. 
Commodities

Thai rice prices hit two-month peak, Bangladesh hit by floods

With Indian rice no longer significantly cheaper, buyers seek other options

29 August 2024
Floods across the country have inundated villages.
Natural disasters

Thailand flooding poses early test for PM Paetongtarn Shinawatra

Mistakes of past administrations could inform handling of disaster

29 August 2024
Sethaput Suthiwartnarueput's term as head of Thailand's central bank will end in September 2025 when he reaches the mandatory retirement age of 60.
Economy

Thai central bank chief fights to balance growth, consumer debt

Bank of Thailand governor's term set to end as 'Thaksinomics' returns

28 August 2024
Thailand's new prime minister, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, has yet to make notable mention of the planned land bridge project.
Transportation

Thailand's 'land bridge' ambitions face fresh roadblocks

Environmental and political concerns cloud plan to build new trade artery

28 August 2024
Bank of Thailand Gov. Sethaput Suthiwartnarueput (left) has responded to pressure from Thaksin Shinawatra, the father of Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, saying the BOT will remain independent but accountable as well. (Nikkei montage/Source photos by Reuters, Hiroki Endo, and Adryel Talamantes)
Economy

Thai central bank comes under pressure from Thaksin

Ruling party boss tells BOT to cut a fee it charges lenders to repay bonds

27 August 2024
An aerial view shows trees and houses in the aftermath of floods, in Phrae Province, Thailand, Aug. 24. (Thailand's Department of Royal Rainmaking and Agricultural Aviation/Handout via Reuters)
Natural disasters

Mudslide in Thailand's Phuket kills 9 migrant workers from Myanmar

Disaster near tourist destination Big Buddha also kills 2 Russians and 2 Thais

25 August 2024
Frequent disasters encourage Southeast Asians to prepare. A man drives a motorbike in a flooded street after heavy rains in Hanoi, Vietnam, in September 2023.
Natural disasters

Philippines, Vietnam, Thailand and Cambodia top global disaster-readiness poll

Alerts, household planning build resilience as volatility rises, Gallup says

25 August 2024
According to a Reuters poll, 24 out of 27 economists expected the central bank to stand pat, while the rest saw a 25 basis point rate cut.
Economy

Thai central bank stands pat to assess impact of political instability

Bank of Thailand balances growth and risk by keeping policy rate at 2.5%

21 August 2024
Paetongtarn Shinawatra has risen to Thailand's prime ministerial post on the strength of her father Thaksin's influence, but with that influence weakening, tough challenges lie in store for the 37-year-old as she takes up her first role in government. (Photo by Shinya Sawai) 
Asia Insight

Thailand's latest Shinawatra PM walks the same economic, political tightrope

Paetongtarn takes office with growth the key issue as father Thaksin calls party shots

20 August 2024
Containers await shipment at a port on the Chao Phraya River in Bangkok. 
Economy

Thai GDP grows 2.3% in April-June quarter

Just-released figure beats analysts' expectations of 2.1% expansion

19 August 2024
Vietnam's new leader To Lam, a former police officer, was appointed Communist Party general secretary in August. 
Your Week in Asia

Japan-India 2+2, Thai GDP, Vietnam leader in China

Your weekly lineup of Asia's biggest business and political events

18 August 2024
The dollar is coming down from a prolonged period of strength, boosting Asian currencies. (Photo by Akira Kodaka)
Currencies

Ringgit, baht gain against dollar on speculation of U.S. rate cut

Asian central banks seen weighing own moves as inflationary pressures ease

13 August 2024
Thai authorities are purchasing blackchin tilapia at above market prices in an effort to control the population. (Thailand Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives)
Fisheries

Thailand grapples with invasive tilapia from Africa as CP deflects blame

Conglomerate brought in nonnative fish for research, pledges cooperation

13 August 2024
Myanmar traditional restaurant chain Khaing Khaing Kyaw first expanded business operations into the Thai market in November 2023 and has since opened a second branch in Bangkok in March this year. (Photo by Htet Phyoe)
Myanmar Crisis

Myanmar businesses flood Thailand to follow fleeing customer base

Growing number of restaurants, shops in Bangkok reflect population exodus from war-torn state

9 August 2024
HP has built up a massive China-focused supply chain for PCs but is now looking to reduce its reliance on Asia's biggest economy.   
Supply Chain

HP plans its most aggressive shift of production away from China

Thailand emerges as major factory destination as PC maker hires engineers in Singapore

7 August 2024
GDP for the ASEAN six is expected to increase by an average of 5.1% annually until 2034, outpacing China's projected growth of 3.5% to 4.5%. (Source photos by Ken Kobayashi and Reuters)
Economy

Southeast Asia to outpace China's GDP growth and foreign investment: report

Think tank projects 5.1% average growth next decade in six key economies

1 August 2024
The Bangkok headquarters of CP All, one of the companies whose shares have benefited from announcements related to the government's digital wallet initiative.
Equities

Thailand's top stocks reap gains on digital wallet rollout

Food retailers, convenience stores and lenders among main beneficiaries

1 August 2024
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim is likely to stay in power until the next general election, expected in 2027.
Opinion

Malaysia sheds short-termism to become Asia's comeback kid

Investors embrace political stability as alarms sound over Thailand's fragility

24 July 2024