Economy

Currencies in Southeast Asia have trended lower against the dollar in recent months due to tepid regional economic growth and interest rate gaps with the U.S. (Source photo by Ken Kobayashi)
Market Spotlight

Malaysian, Thai economies suffer as currencies slide vs. dollar

ASEAN depreciations bring higher import costs and increase inflation risks

16 October 2023
Chinese President Xi Jinping raises his glass and proposes a toast at the end of his speech during the Belt and Road Forum at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, April 26, 2019.
Your Week in Asia

Belt and Road Forum, Foxconn Technology Day, China GDP

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

15 October 2023
Srettha Thavisin speaks during an election rally of his Pheu Thai Party in April, explaining its 10,000 baht handout plan. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi)
Economy

Thailand PM pushes $15bn handout despite economists' warning

Srettha to detail digital money project next month ahead of February launch

13 October 2023
Tourists walk past the Wat Arun temple in Bangkok on Sept. 10. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi)
Travel & Leisure

Chinese travelers' slow return hits Southeast Asian economies

Share of China tourists declines in Thailand, Vietnam and Cambodia

13 October 2023
A Chinese tourist takes a selfie with Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, right, at Suvarnabhumi International Airport: "Quick win" stimulus like visa waivers will not bring stronger growth.
Opinion

Time for Thailand's new government to match rhetoric with reform

New growth engines needed to reach ambitious economic targets

10 October 2023
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin is heading to Thailand's neighbors to tout his country as a destination for investment. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi) 
International relations

Thai PM Srettha visits ASEAN neighbors to lure investment

New leader wants this week's tour to tighten trade ties with key regional economies

9 October 2023
The surging rice prices were triggered by India, the world's largest rice exporter, which banned export of its crop amid increasing demand for rice as an alternative to wheat.
Economy

On topic: How do rising rice prices affect Asia?

A collection of stories to catch up on a recent hot topic

8 October 2023
Thai farmers harvest rice. Yields are projected to drop due to drought.
Environment

Drought-hit Thailand turns to cloud seeding to offset El Nino

Rice production under threat with 3% decline expected for current season

4 October 2023
Sea's e-commerce platform, Shopee, has become the biggest online shopping site in Southeast Asia.
Markets

Thai, Singapore tech firms surge in market value

Delta and Sea worth more since pandemic while conglomerates falter

3 October 2023
A port along the Chao Phraya River in Bangkok: Lackluster exports are dragging down Thailand's economic forecast.
Economy

Malaysia and Thailand GDP outlooks cut as China slows: JCER

Economists also warn that El Nino's swelter will impact India and Indonesia

29 September 2023
Chula Sukmanop, head of Thailand's Eastern Economic Corridor Office, has high hopes for the special economic zone. (Nikkei montage/Source photos by Kenya Akama and Takaki Kashiwabara)
Supply Chain

Thailand investment chiefs look to enter new phase under Srettha

Steering agencies aim to boost EVs, electronics supply chain

29 September 2023
The Bank of Thailand raised its key policy rate to 2.5% on Sept. 27. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi)
Economy

Thailand central bank surprises by raising key rate to 2.5%

2023 GDP downgraded to 2.8% due to 'delayed recovery' in exports

27 September 2023
Thailand's Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin speaks to reporters at the Government House in Bangkok on Sept. 5. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi)
25 September 2023
JKN Global Group, owner of the Miss Universe Organization, failed to repay a corporate bond worth $12 million that was due on Sept. 1.
Bonds

Thailand hit by rising bond defaults as interest rates climb

Miss Universe organizer and a developer are among the latest to miss payments

15 September 2023
Forestias, a large development in Samut Prakan just outside Bangkok, will offer retail, residential and hotel space. (Image courtesy of Foster + Partners)
Property

Bangkok set for $14bn redevelopment spree led by top conglomerates

TCC, Central Group back projects to make Thai capital a bigger destination

15 September 2023
Tourists visit the Grand Palace, one of the top tourist spots in Bangkok, in January.
Economy

Thailand to waive tourist visas for Chinese to boost economy

New government pins hopes on visitors during year-end high season

13 September 2023
Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin speaks on policy in the legislature in Bangkok on Sept. 11.
Politics

Thailand PM Srettha commits to $280 handout to kick-start economy

Policy address identifies quick wins but stays vague on structural problems

11 September 2023
F&N has produced and sold ThaiBev's Chang beer in Myanmar since 2019. (Photo by Nikkei)
Myanmar Crisis

In Myanmar, Chinese and Thai companies fill economic vacuum

As Western businesses exit country, investments come from friendly nations

10 September 2023
Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, seated at center, and the cabinet of his new government pose in dress uniform. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi)
Politics

Thailand's coalition cabinet stresses national unity in first meeting

New PM Srettha Thavisin pledges to focus on economic policies

7 September 2023
New Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin's Pheu Thai Party carried much of the fertile northeast in this year's election, but Move Forward's inroads raise the pressure to follow through on lofty economic promises. (Nikkei montage/Source photos by Ken Kobayashi and Getty Images)
Asia Insight

Thai PM Srettha faces pivotal test over pledges to party heartland

Pheu Thai promised northeasterners hefty handouts and better days; can it deliver?

29 August 2023
Srettha Thavisin speaks at the Pheu Thai Party's headquarters in Bangkok after he was elected as the next prime minister on Aug. 22. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi)
Thai election

Thailand's new PM Srettha to lead next government: 5 things to know

People pin hope on new leader, with money handout promised

23 August 2023
Tourists at the Wat Phra Kaew temple in Bangkok on Aug. 7: Thailand's GDP growth slowed to 1.8% in the second quarter despite recovery in the tourism sector. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi)
Economy

Thailand Q2 GDP growth slows to 1.8% despite tourism recovery

Annual outlook lowered to 2.5-3.0% as weak exports weigh on economy

21 August 2023
A view of the moon from the Chandrayaan-3 lander during Lunar Orbit Insertion on Aug. 5 in this screengrab from a video released Aug. 6. (Photo by ISRO/Handout via Reuters)
Your Week in Asia

China prime rate, Cambodia's new PM, India moon landing mission

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

20 August 2023
A farmer works in a rice paddy in Thailand's central Khon Kaen province. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi)
Commodities

India's rice export ban brings chaos to Thai market

Surging demand sparks speculative hoarding, undercuts export opportunity

17 August 2023
The Bangkok skyline on July 3: The economic costs of shoddy politics are incalculable for Thailand, a country that was once Southeast Asia's star performer. 
Opinion

Business is out of patience with Thailand's political mess

Economy will continue to perform below potential without major reforms

14 August 2023