Thailand

Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin speaks at Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport after greeting Chinese tourists from Shanghai on Sept. 25. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi)
Politics

Thailand PM Srettha shows signs of leaning toward China for growth

New Thai government's policies criticized as pork-barreling

11 October 2023
A "shelter" sign is displayed as people arrive in Israel overlooking others waiting to board flights at Ben Gurion Airport on Oct. 9 in Lod, Israel.
Middle East crisis

Thailand and Philippines scramble to safeguard citizens in Israel

Deaths reported among Southeast Asian workers after Hamas attack

10 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
Former Prime Minister Thaksin waves to supporters after his arrival at Don Mueang Airport. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi)
Comment

Thailand's coalition does not guarantee stable politics

Differences between 11-party grouping may mean return to coup-prone past

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
Smoke rises in the distance outside Sderot in southern Israel on Oct. 7. Two Thais have been killed in Israel's most intense fighting in decades.
Middle East crisis

Thailand readies Israel evacuation as 12 nationals killed

PM Srettha condemns Hamas attack, says he ordered air force to get planes ready

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
Theos-2, Thailand's second Earth observation satellite, is due to be launched into space on Oct. 7. (Photo courtesy of GISTDA)
Aerospace & Defense Industries

Thailand to launch new satellite, expanding aerospace sector

Mission, postponed at last minute, aims to aid agriculture and disaster prevention

7 October 2023
Central Group aims to open dozens of GO Wholesale stores in Thailand. (Image courtesy of Central Food Wholesales) 
Retail

Thailand's Central starts warehouse store battle with rival CP

Retail king expands into new territory to defend its crown

7 October 2023
People walk past the Siam Paragon shopping mall in Bangkok on Oct. 4: The mall is open for shoppers a day after a deadly shooting that killed two people. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi)
Travel & Leisure

Bangkok shooting stirs fears over tourist safety in Thailand

Hotel, aviation shares fall as authorities pledge tighter security

4 October 2023
A Chinese-backed alumina refinery complex on Indonesia's Bintan Island is fouling the surrounding waters. It is just one of a growing number of "green tech" investments by China in the region. (Photo by Dimas Ardian)
The Big Story

China's green tech giants link supply chains to Southeast Asia

From Indonesia to Vietnam, 'clean energy' ties ASEAN more closely to Beijing despite South China Sea tensions

4 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
Police officers stand guard in front of the Siam Paragon shopping mall in Bangkok on Oct. 3. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi)
Crime

Bangkok mall shooting: At least 2 killed, 5 injured

Police arrest 14-year-old boy as Thailand faces risk to tourism recovery

3 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 Philippine flag flutters on a ferry sailing close to U.S. aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan anchored at Manila Bay in Manila.
Your Week in Asia

U.S.-Philippine naval drills, Nobel Prizes, India policy rates

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

1 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
The U.S. Federal Reserve maintains hawkish rhetoric, raising the prospects of further interest rate hikes and widening the rate differentials between U.S. and Asian economies.
Currencies

Asian currencies hit new 2023 lows as economic growth struggles

Fed's higher-for-longer stance weighs increasingly on Asian markets

27 September 2023
Big C's expansion into Hong Kong is its first step beyond Southeast Asia, where the company has over 2,000 outlets. (Photo by Kenji Kawase)
Retail

Thai supermarket chain Big C expands into Hong Kong

Eyeing 'gateway' to mainland China as it seeks potential listing

26 September 2023
Murata Manufacturing will make its mainstay multilayer ceramic capacitors in Thailand for the first time. (Photo courtesy of Murata)
Companies

Apple supplier Murata bucks downturn with new Thailand factory

Japanese company ramps up capital spending on capacitors for phones, EVs

26 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
Questions over the future of Lisa, above, a Thai member of South Korean K-Pop group Blackpink, and other members are weighing on YG Entertainment's shares.
Media & Entertainment

South Korea's YG Entertainment hit by Blackpink uncertainty

Agency's shares sink on talk of departure by Thai member Lisa, others

22 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
Move Forward leader Pita Limjaroenrat speaks to reporters on May 23. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi)
Politics

Thailand's Pita resigns as Move Forward leader

Suspended lawmaker 'cannot' fulfill role as head of biggest opposition party

15 September 2023