Thailand

A girl brushes her teeth in Mawlamyine, the capital of Myanmar's Mon state, in 2019. The Mon are said to have more in common with the country's Burman majority than most other minorities living in Myanmar's highlands, but their culture and traditions remain strong.
Life

Mon forge their own path in Myanmar's civil war

Heirs to a great civilization navigate a turbulent political landscape

21 December 2023
Supporters of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra welcome him home at a Bangkok airport in August 2023. Thaksin brokered, and then broke, a secret deal that allowed him to end 15 years of self-exile, sources say. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi)
Politics

Thailand prison rule sparks accusations of favoritism for Thaksin

All eyes on whether jailed former PM will receive parole early

21 December 2023
Honda has started producing the e:N1 SUV at a plant in Prachinburi province, east of Bangkok.
Automobiles

Honda becomes first Japan company to produce passenger EVs in Thailand

SUV to hit local market in early 2024 as competition with Chinese rivals heats up

18 December 2023
A Japanese oil tanker attacked by pirates in the Strait of Malacca in 2014: Thailand's 'Landbridge' would provide an alternative route between the Pacific and Indian oceans.
Opinion

Thailand's 'Landbridge' will bring East and West closer together

New link between Indian and Pacific oceans to provide economic boost

17 December 2023
Thailand's Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin and several cabinet members gather after a swearing-in ceremony at Government House in Bangkok on Sept. 5. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi)
International relations

Thai PM seeks foreign investment to complement fiscal expansion

Srettha looks to strengthen his political standing at home amid criticism

15 December 2023
A Neta GT Speedster at the Thailand International Motor Expo: NV Gotion's plant will initially be capable of turning out the equivalent of 50,000 battery packs a year for NETA cars.
14 December 2023
The Move Forward Party's MP Rukchanok Srinork, left, walks with former prime minsterial candidate Pita Limjaroenrat, right, as they arrive at Thailand's Criminal Court in Bangkok on Dec. 13.
Turbulent Thailand

Thailand court sentences Move Forward MP to jail for lese-majeste

Embattled opposition party faces more pivotal court dates

13 December 2023
Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin speaks to Nikkei Asia at Government House in Bangkok on Dec. 12. (Photo by Hiroki Endo)
Interview

Srettha pushes Thailand for lead role in Myanmar talks

PM wants to 'protect border' as conflict drives drug trafficking, influx of refugees

13 December 2023
Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin poses for a photo before the interview at Government House of Thailand in Bangkok on Dec. 12. (Photo by Hiroki Endo)
Interview

Thailand's 'bad' economy must grow to get investment, PM Srettha says

Srettha Thavisin tells Nikkei Asia he will not resign if digital wallet plan fails

12 December 2023
A BYD Dolphin electric vehicle is seen on display at the Thailand International Motor Expo in November. (Photo by Kenya Akama)
Automobiles

Beijing opens Thai research institute to support Chinese carmakers

Move part of efforts to expand Southeast Asian footprint

9 December 2023
Thai Securities and Exchange Commission Secretary-General Pornanong Budsaratragoon, second from right, helps to launch the nation's first set of ESG funds on Dec. 8. (Photo by Francesca Regalado)
Markets

Thailand aims to raise $284m through new ESG funds by year-end

Regulators look to position nation as sustainability leader in ASEAN

8 December 2023
“Chiang Rai Art Carnival” participants parade through the city’s streets on Nov. 19 as part of Thailand Biennale Chiang Rai warmup festivities. (Courtesy of Thailand Biennale Chiang Rai)
Arts

Thailand Biennale lands in the northern borderlands

Sprawling show will 'open up' historic parts of Chiang Rai province

7 December 2023
The first vehicle to roll off the production line at Neta Auto’s Thai factory. (Photo from Neta Auto official WeChat)
Caixin

China's Hozon EV unit launches first overseas plant in Thailand

Southeast Asian nation accelerating drive toward electric cars

4 December 2023
Uoriki, a Japanese retail and wholesale company dealing in fresh fish and sushi, opened a shop in a large Bangkok supermarket on Oct. 30.
Food & Beverage

Fresh fish from Japan booms in Thailand

CP-Uoriki to open 100 stores in 5 years as Thais hunger for Japanese foods

3 December 2023
The food court at Bangkok's new EmSphere shopping center drew crowds on opening day Dec. 1. (Photo by Kosuke Inoue)
Retail

New Bangkok megamall EmSphere opens with IKEA, dining

Thai retailer The Mall Group powers up hoped-for tourist magnet

2 December 2023
Changan Automobile said on Nov. 29 at the Thailand International Motor Expo that it is making a full-scale entry into the Thai market. (Photo by Adryel Talamantes)
Automobiles

GAC and Changan push into Southeast Asia in 2nd China EV wave

New players struggle to take on market leader BYD's dominance

1 December 2023
Henry Kissinger and Vietnam's Le Duc Tho speak to the press in a Paris suburb on June 13, 1973, the year they were jointly awarded the Nobel Peace Prize -- which Tho declined.
Obituaries

Kissinger cast a long and uneven shadow in Southeast Asia

Controversial bringer of war and peace left mixed messages in the region

1 December 2023
The first group of Thai hostages released from the Gaza Strip arrive in Bangkok on Nov. 30.
Middle East crisis

First Thai hostages freed from Gaza return to tearful families

PM Srettha 'delighted' as government vows to bring home remaining captives

30 November 2023
Banpu CEO Somruedee Chaimongkol. The company plans to make batteries for passenger EVs, as well as electric buses and trucks. (Photo courtesy of Banpu)
Materials

Thai coal miner Banpu to enter EV battery business

Company seeks partner for potential nickel mining projects in Indonesia

30 November 2023
Thai Prime minister Srettha Thavisin outlines the government's digital money handout plan at a news conference in Bangkok on Nov. 10. (Photo by Hiroki Endo)
Economy

Thailand lacks baht for Srettha's digital wallet plan, economist warns

Risk of crisis from local currency shortage 'should not be underestimated'

30 November 2023
Prayuth Chan-ocha retired from politics when he stepped down as prime minister in September.
Politics

Ex-Thai PM Prayuth named to king's advisory body

Leader of 2014 coup follows past prime ministers in joining Privy Council

30 November 2023
A bank employee gathers Thai baht notes: The central bank held its policy interest rate steady at 2.5%, ending a streak of eight straight rate rises as the economy slows.
Economy

Thailand pauses monetary tightening as economy slows

Central bank keeps rate unchanged at 2.5%, downgrades growth outlook

29 November 2023
Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin says that the country faces an economic crisis, and that the antidote is for citizens to "take pride in spending."
Asia Insight

Thailand PM Srettha faces hard sell in e-wallet plan to stoke economy

'Salesman' turns to domestic woes after foreign focus in first 100 days

28 November 2023
Delivery of Toyota's Hilux Champ will begin in Thailand in January. (Photo courtesy of the company)
Automobiles

Toyota debuts stripped-down Hilux pickup for emerging markets

Japanese automaker eyes shifting demand in Thailand and beyond

28 November 2023
Japanese trading house Marubeni hopes its Osaji cosmetics brand will help its cosmetics business reach sales of $100 billion yen by 2030. (Photo courtesy of Osaji)
Companies

Japan's Marubeni to push Osaji cosmetics brand in Southeast Asia

Trading house weighs sales at Thailand's Karmarts, Malaysia's Ainz & Tulpe

27 November 2023