Economy

A flood gate along the edge of the Chao Phraya River in the historic city of Ayutthaya, Thailand, on Aug. 29. (Photo by Yohei Muramatsu)
Supply Chain

Thailand monsoon floods threaten to disrupt supply chains

Manufacturers consider exodus to Vietnam and elsewhere in Southeast Asia

1 September 2022
This Indian bride had her wedding ceremony and celebrations on a picturesque beach on the famous Thai resort island of Phuket. (Photo courtesy of Thai-Indian Wedding Association)
Travel & Leisure

Thai tourism eyes Indian weddings as Chinese spending dries up

One couple from Hong Kong last year spent $12.5m in four days

27 August 2022
Group of Seven countries and democratic allies like Australia are dangling infrastructure support in Southeast Asia as an alternative to China's Belt and Road.
Asia Insight

China's ASEAN Silk Road gets slippery as other powers move in

U.S., Europe, India join battle to build regional supply chains from Thailand to Vietnam

23 August 2022
Tourists and local people play with water during the Songkran holiday in April. Tourism is showing signs of recovery after Thailand lifted COVID-restriction measures, pushing up the country's economy.
Economy

Thailand's GDP grew 2.5% in Q2, with economy on recovery path

Exports, tourism power growth despite headwinds of inflation, geopolitical tensions

15 August 2022
In the first six months of 2022, Thai exports rose 12.7% year on year, pushing up the country's growth.
Economy

Thailand raises key rate to 0.75% in 1st hike for nearly 4 years

Central bank weighs growth, risk of inflation in shift to tighter monetary policy

10 August 2022
Fitch Ratings said in a report last month that Singapore banks are poised to benefit from the rise in global interest rates as economic recovery continues across the lenders' key markets.
Finance

DBS, other ASEAN banks ride U.S. rate hikes to stronger earnings

Southeast Asia's largest banks expect higher returns from lending

5 August 2022
Thailand hopes to bolster competitiveness by introducing a long-term visa for skilled foreign workers and investors.
Economy

Thailand to introduce 10-year visa for skilled workers, investors

Country looks to attract 1 million people from advanced economies

4 August 2022
Malaysia's liquefied natural gas exports more than doubled by value in June.
Trade

Malaysia, Indonesia exports surge as energy and food prices soar

China slowdown and U.S. rate hikes loom over robust ASEAN trade

28 July 2022
Topp Jirayut Srupsrisopa, the young chief executive of Bitkub Capital Group Holdings, is the company's public face and well known in Thailand. (Source photos by AFP/Jiji) 
Cryptocurrencies

Thailand's SCB delays deal with Bitkub amid tighter crypto rules

Postponement raises concern about growth curbs on nation's digital money trade

21 July 2022
Stream article image
Feeding Asia

Asia's agricultural revolution: planting a high-tech future

Population, inflation, climate stoke innovation to grow more with less

15 July 2022
Shoppers ride an escalator outside a Bangkok mall on July 5. Although the government has relaxed COVID-related mandates, many Thais continue to wear masks in crowded spaces.
Coronavirus

Thailand's misleading COVID numbers cast a shadow on reopening

Health experts warn of undercounted cases after restrictions lifted

12 July 2022
A woman shops at a supermarket in Singapore. Food prices have surged in Southeast Asia. (Photo by Takashi Nakano)
Inflation

Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia unleash cash to ease inflation bite

Governments attempt to balance political pressures with fiscal discipline

6 July 2022
The economies of ASEAN's five biggest members will grow 5.0% in 2022, according to the latest survey by JCER and Nikkei in June, thanks to the reopening of borders.
Economy

ASEAN economy to slow down in 2nd half of 2022: JCER/Nikkei survey

Economists see inflation, U.S. rate hikes weighing on region despite COVID easing

4 July 2022
The Thai baht's plunge on July 2, 1997, touched off the Asian financial crisis. Twenty-five years later, the region's resilience is being put to the test.
Economy

COVID, inflation stress-test Asia 25 years after financial crisis

Risks simmer in smaller economies as debt burden swells

2 July 2022
Thai oil refiners are being asked by the government to share their profits.
Energy

Thai oil refiners under heat as Bangkok seeks profit-sharing

Government wants refineries to contribute to consumer subsidies as inflation bites

22 June 2022
Bangkok's Don Mueang International Airport is expected to welcome many more tourists now that Thailand has dropped strict COVID restrictions.
Coronavirus

ASEAN tourism on the road to business as usual

Thailand to relax mask and alcohol rules; Indonesia drops mandatory insurance

21 June 2022
The Grand Palace in Bangkok. By relaxing COVID restrictions, the Thai government looks to jump-start the country's sluggish tourism industry.
Coronavirus

Thailand to ease COVID entry rules for foreign visitors in July

Prearrival screening to be lifted, followed by mask policy

17 June 2022
Reviving Thailand's tourism industry will involve reduced dependence on the China market, more arrivals from new markets, and maintaining attention on domestic travelers.
Travel & Leisure

Thai hotels court Indian and local tourists to fill China void

Europeans top returnees but cannot match Arab and Chinese spending

15 June 2022
Thailand decriminalized medical marijuana cultivation and possession on June 9, a step toward possible full legalization of the psychotropic. (Source photo by Reuters)
Politics

Thailand's 'marijuana wonderland': 5 things to know

Cannabis can only be grown and consumed for medical purposes or health promotion

14 June 2022
A Thai smokes a joint in Bangkok on April 20 during a demonstration promoting the recreational use of marijuana.
Politics

Thailand delists marijuana as narcotic, releases 3,071 inmates

De facto cannabis decriminalization ahead of new law stirs concerns over misuse

9 June 2022
Piti Disyatat, secretary of Thailand's monetary policy committee, says four committee members voted to stand pat "to ensure that the recovery will continue to gain traction." (Photo by Rie Ishii)
Economy

Bank of Thailand keeps rate steady at 0.5% despite inflation fears

Board approves decision in 4-3 vote; 2022 inflation projection raised to 6.2%

8 June 2022
Solar panels in Thailand. The Southeast Asian country in 2021 shipped $1.07 billion worth of solar cells to the U.S.
Trade

U.S. waives tariffs on solar panels from Thailand, Vietnam

Malaysia and Cambodia also exempt for 24 months after being hit by probe

7 June 2022
Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha says the U.S.-led Indo-Pacific Economic Framework initiative is "solid proof of how important and relevant Asia is today." (Photo by Tomoki Mera) 
The Future of Asia 2022

Thailand's Prayuth: Open, rules-based Asia key to post-COVID growth

Singapore's Lee warns of arms race, Malaysia PM highlights supply risks at Nikkei forum

26 May 2022
Yi Xiaozhun, China's former vice minister of commerce, warns the Ukraine war could trigger economic problems comparable to the 2008 financial crisis. (Photo by Tomoki Mera) 
The Future of Asia 2022

China ex-official warns of Ukraine war's impact on Asian trade

Economic setback may be similar to 2008 financial crisis, says former WTO envoy

26 May 2022
Yun Duk-min, chair-professor at Hankook University of Foreign Studies, is expected to become South Korea's ambassador to Japan. (Photo by Suzu Takahashi) 
The Future of Asia 2022

South Korea to restore Japan ties 'as soon as possible,' next envoy says

On North Korea, Yun Duk-min says U.N. is 'paralyzed' due to Ukraine issue

26 May 2022