Economy

Ministers from the 16 negotiating members of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership meet in Manila, Philippines in September 2017. The path to an agreement remains fraught.
Economy

Clashing visions keep sweeping trade pact elusive for Southeast Asia

Countries advocate alternatives as protectionist and free-trade camps remain deadlocked

26 April 2018
Pedestrians walk past the Apple Shinjuku store on April 5, 2018 in Tokyo. (Getty Images)
26 April 2018
Japanese economic minister Toshimitsu Motegi, right, will visit Thailand to help the country join the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade pact, giving Tokyo another ally as the U.S. demands a bilateral trade deal.
International relations

Japan drafts Thailand to sell Trump on TPP

Tokyo hopes new Southeast Asia members make trade pact impossible to shun

26 April 2018
A Buddhist statue in front of the Central World shopping mall in Bangkok being cleaned. The Central Group owns a large portfolio of retailers.
Companies

Central Group plans Thailand's largest outlet mall

160,000 sq.-m project aimed at tourists shopping for luxury goods

24 April 2018
PTT Exploration and Production said it would bid for the operation of the gas blocks.
Economy

Long delayed auction for Gulf of Thailand gas blocks kicks off

Abu Dhabi's Mubadala seen joining incumbent operators PTTEP, Chevron in bid

24 April 2018
Bank of Thailand Governor Veerathai Santiprabhob speaking to Nikkei in Bangkok on April 23. (Photo by Takaki Kashiwabara)
Economy

Thailand not a currency manipulator, says central bank chief

Veerathai warns that US trade protectionism could hurt global investment

24 April 2018
Thailand's top four banks reported only a 3.3% aggregate increase in lending for the first quarter, while digital advances demand heavy investments and fee cuts.
Economy

Thai banks' profits strained by need for digital investments

Amid weak lending growth, banks forced to deal with rise of e-wallets

21 April 2018
Apple's plan to open a flagship store in Bangkok has got wrapped up in red tape. (Photo by Kosaku Mimura)
Economy

Thai government snipping red tape from foreign business visas

Mulling 'guillotine' for moribund regulations to attract foreign talent, investment

19 April 2018
Will this robot steal your job?
19 April 2018
Boats at a small fishing port along the Tonle Sap River where it meets the Mekong River
Economy

China pours $1.7m into development for Mekong countries

Grant aims to boost trade and ease fears of environmental impact of Chinese dams

18 April 2018
Railroads and highways have been found to generate more tax revenues because of increased economic activity.
Opinion

Offer infrastructure investors a share of the tax take

Governments can raise subsidies by taking account of the full economic benefits

17 April 2018
DATE IMPORTED:December 06, 2016A man pours Sabeco's Saigon beer into a cup at a restaurant in Hanoi, Vietnam December 5, 2016. Picture taken December 5, 2016. REUTERS/Kham
Companies

Saigon Beer to appoint new board members representing ThaiBev

Following acquisition, Vietnam brewer proposes to dismiss chairman

16 April 2018
Dogs and cats get rabies vaccinations at Wat Khema Phirataram temple in Nonthaburi Province, Thailand on March 12, 2018.
Politics

Thailand faces challenges to become 'rabies-free' by 2020

Government authorities on high alert after facing worst outbreak since 1980

16 April 2018
Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak, left, meets Chinese President Xi Jinping ahead of the Belt and Road Forum in Beijing last May.
International relations

Malaysian leader's strongman impulses trace back to China

Growing Chinese economic influence threatens to erode Southeast Asian democracy

15 April 2018
Thailand's three-day Songkran holiday runs through Sunday, while many companies and government offices are closed through Monday.
Business trends

Thailand ready for more spending as New Year's festival regains its splash

Tourism and retail businesses are bullish for first Songkran after mourning of late king

13 April 2018
A recent ADB report says, "The anxiety over automation is overblown."
Economy

Automation not a threat to Asian workers, says ADB

Chief economist says new trade pacts will offset impact of US-China tariff fight

12 April 2018
Thailand's fruit exports may rise as a result of heightened trade tensions between the U.S. and China, but other exports could take a hit.
Trade war

Thailand is confident of riding out a US-China trade war

Government keeps 2018 export growth forecast unchanged at 8%

12 April 2018
Stream article image
12 April 2018
Vinamilk products in a supermarket in Hanoi, Vietnam. (Photo by Takaki Kasihwabara)
12 April 2018
The trade battle may spur Chinese companies to invest more in Southeast Asia, as Geely did with Malaysia's Proton.
12 April 2018
Manufacturers concerned about a China-U.S. trade war.
12 April 2018
Manufacturers concerned about a China-U.S. trade war.
Nikkei PMI

Asian manufacturers less optimistic about output amid trade tensions

March PMI shows rising material costs is another concern

11 April 2018
Shipping containers stand at a port in Bangkok. While painting bright pictures, economists also identified emergent concerns for economy in southeast Asia.
Economy

'Trump risks' cast shadow over bright Asian outlooks

Protectionism ranked as biggest concern for first time in a year, JCER says

10 April 2018
Trade tensions with the U.S. will hurt exports that are crucial for economic growth of ASEAN member states. (Photo by Keiichiro Aasahara)
Trade war

Southeast Asia feared next on list for US trade sanctions

Thailand's exchange rate policy comes under Washington scrutiny

9 April 2018
Proton cars in Kuala Lumpur: The trade battle may spur Chinese companies to invest more in Southeast Asia, as Geely did with Malaysia's national automaker.
Trade war

US-China trade row spells pain and gains for ASEAN

Spread of 'China plus one' production expected to boost investment in bloc

8 April 2018