Mitsubihsi Motors in Thailand will produce a hybrid version of the X PANDER minivan. (Source photos by Reuters and courtesy of Mitsubishi Motors)
Automobiles

Mitsubishi Motors to make Thailand a hybrid production hub

Japanese automaker intent on competing with Chinese rivals in Southeast Asia

9 August 2023
Newborns are dressed in Valentine's Day costumes at a Bangkok hospital. Cesarean sections are popular in Thailand partly because they make it easier for parents to control the timing of a birth, such as on an auspicious date.
Tea Leaves

Thai women are losing faith in labor

Superstition, fear and convenience converge in C-section boom

9 August 2023
Vacharaesorn Vivacharawongse in this screenshot from his Facebook page.
Society

Thai king's second son returns after 27-year absence

Vacharaesorn spotted visiting temples and orphanage in Bangkok

8 August 2023
Pheu Thai leader Cholnan Srikaew, second from right, and Bhumjaithai leader Anutin Charnvirakul, center, pose for photos at a press conference in Bangkok on Aug. 7. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi)
Thai election

Thailand's Pheu Thai forms new coalition with third-largest party

New grouping says no to lese-majeste reform and Move Forward

7 August 2023
The flagship Dusit Thani Bangkok will reopen next year with residences, offices and retail space. (Image courtesy of Dusit International)
Travel & Leisure

Thailand's Dusit aims to double hotels to 100 worldwide by 2025

Chain operator plans new luxury offerings in Kyoto and Bangkok as travel recovers

5 August 2023
Move Forward leader Pita Limjaroenrat attends a parliament session on July 19. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi)
Thai election

Thailand PM vote postponed as court reviews Pita petition

Formation of government further delayed until after Aug. 16

3 August 2023
Pheu Thai leader Cholnan Srikaew, center, speaks during a news conference in Bangkok on Aug. 2. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi)
Thai election

Pheu Thai splits from Move Forward to secure PM vote for Srettha

Pro-democracy coalition's breakup puts Thailand election winner into opposition

2 August 2023
The Bank of Thailand began tightening in August 2022 after keeping the interest rate at a record low of 0.5% as COVID hit the economy.
Economy

Bank of Thailand raises key rate to 2.25%, a 9-year high

Central bank wary of political headwinds after election

2 August 2023
Analysts said Energy Absolute has been seeking partners over the past few years. (Source photos from EVE Energy and Sunwoda Mobility Energy Technology websites) 
Automobiles

Thai power giant to partner with Chinese on EV battery plant

Energy Absolute's 6 GWh factory will supply local, regional makers

2 August 2023
Regulators are facing calls to investigate auditors and stock brokers that failed to spot Stark's questionable practices. (Source photo by Getty and logo from Stark's website)
Market Spotlight

How Thailand's Stark covered up debt and losses at Vietnam wire maker

Regulators pressed to tighten rules on backdoor listings, earnings reports

31 July 2023
CP Foods' plant-based "chicken" products sold in Japan, including nuggets and cutlets, are made from soy. (Photo courtesy of Itochu)
Food & Beverage

Itochu brings Thai 'plant-based chicken' products to Japan

CP's frozen foods available at online shopping sites, supermarkets

30 July 2023
Hachi-Ban, a Japanese restaurant operator, will bring a new plant online in Thailand and resume restaurant openings in Vietnam. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi)
Food & Beverage

Japan ramen chain Hachi-Ban to expand in Thailand, Vietnam

Company to open new central kitchen, increase number of shops

26 July 2023
Thailand's parliament was supposed to convene on July 27 to elect a new prime minister, but the vote has been postponed. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi)
Thai election

Thailand postpones parliamentary PM vote

Caretaker cabinet approves six-day holiday from July 28 to Aug. 2

25 July 2023
Pheu Thai leader Cholnan Srikaew, right, and Bhumjaithai leader Anutin Charnvirakul speak at a news conference after their meeting on July 22. (Screenshot from Pheu Thai's YouTube channel)
Thai election

Thailand's Pheu Thai courts conservative parties

No. 2 grouping's move could force Move Forward into opposition

24 July 2023
Car sales saw pronounced effects from the persistent debt crunch, with auto loans seeing the fastest rise in delinquent payments.
Finance

Consumer debt clouds outlook for Thai car sales, tourism

Bank earnings flag economic headwinds for next government

24 July 2023
Bank of Japan Gov. Kazuo Ueda speaks at a news conference in April. The central bank is this week set to make its latest monetary policy decision.
Your Week in Asia

Marcos State of the Nation Address, Thailand PM choice, BOJ meeting

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

23 July 2023
Move Forward Party leader Pita Limjaroenrat failed to drum up enough support from either rival parties or military-appointed senators to become prime minister. (Photo by Ken Kobyashi)
Thai election

On topic: Why Thailand's Pita failed to become prime minister

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

22 July 2023
Pheu Thai Party prime minister candidates Srettha Thavisin, right, and Paetongtarn Shinawatra meet supporters at an election rally in Bangkok on May 12. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi)
Thai election

Thailand's Move Forward yields to Pheu Thai candidate for PM

Coalition's No. 2 party to name candidate on July 26 before next vote

21 July 2023
Move Forward Party leader Pita Limjaroenrat leaves parliament on July 19 after the suspension of his membership by Thailand's Constitutional Court. (Photo by Ken Kobyashi)
Opinion

Thailand just isn't ready yet for Move Forward's agenda of change

Despite election victory, Pita's party lacks enough support to have its way

21 July 2023
Move Forward supporters protest in front of Bangkok's Democracy Monument on July 19. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi)
Thai election

Thailand's pro-democracy coalition mulls next steps without Pita

Pheu Thai's move in focus as parliament convenes again on July 27

20 July 2023
Move Forward leader Pita Limjaroenrat removes his member of parliament badge as he was ordered to leave the chamber on July 19. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi)
Thai election

Pita's Thai PM bid blocked in critical blow to Move Forward

'The people are halfway to victory,' leader says after suspension as lawmaker

19 July 2023
Move Forward leader Pita Limjaroenrat attends a parliament session on July 19. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi)
Thai election

Thai court suspends Pita as lawmaker over media shares

Decision deals blow to Move Forward leader as parliament convenes for PM vote

19 July 2023
Indonesia had the most IPOs in Southeast Asia and raised the greatest amount between January and June. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi)
IPO

IPOs in Southeast Asia keep growing despite global headwinds

Companies capture demand for EVs and green energy as decarbonization progresses

19 July 2023
Punters show off their Japanese-style tattoos at this year's Thailand Tattoo Expo. (Photo by Tom Vater)
Tea Leaves

My second skin, made in Thailand

Tattoo convention celebrates living, breathing 'skin art'

19 July 2023
Robinhood Ride will be available on the same platform as food-delivery app Robinhood. (Photo courtesy of Robinhood Ride)
Finance

Thailand's SCBX adds ride-hailing service to Robinhood app

New platform offers customers options to pick EVs and female drivers

19 July 2023