Thailand

A protester in Bangkok in late 2021 flashes the three-finger salute that has become a symbol of resistance in demonstrations across Asia. There are signs of a potential resurgence in protests in Thailand, especially if national election results are perceived to be undemocratic.
Thai election

Thai youth takes creative defiance into election

Protest movement gears up for May 14 poll, but many doubt its likely impact

9 May 2023
Major Thai parties' populist election promises could result in spending of more than 500 billion baht under the next government.
Thai election

Thailand election handout pledges risk debt pileup, experts say

Central bank governor warns spending could lead to great 'side effects'

9 May 2023
Move Forward leader Pita Limjaroenrat, left, and Pheu Thai's Paetongtarn Shinawatra. Cooperation between their two parties appears critical to a change of government in Thailand. (Photos by Ken Kobayashi)
Thai election

Thai opposition Move Forward gains ground as election nears

Anti-military policies bring party near top opposition Pheu Thai in polls

8 May 2023
Election posters on display in Bangkok ahead of polls on May 14, when more than 52m Thais will cast their votes to elect 400 constituent MPs and 100 party MPs to the lower house. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi)
Your Week in Asia

Australia budget, ASEAN summit, Thailand and Turkey elections

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

7 May 2023
HSBC's research unit last month in a report flagged "pockets of vulnerabilities" within lenders in the ASEAN.
Finance

ASEAN banks squeezed between credit risks and interest dynamics

Largely spared Western peers' woes, Southeast Asian lenders still face obstacles

5 May 2023
Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha greets a supporter in Bangkok's Chinatown on April 20. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi)
Thai election

Prayuth's new party courts Thai voters with pledge of stability

Prime minister's economic czar takes stock of nine-year legacy

1 May 2023
As Thai election campaigns move into high gear, revised election rules add to the importance of delivering votes in rural constituencies. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi)
Thai election

Thailand's rural political leaders move center stage in election

Revised constituency rules add weight to provincial vote influencers

30 April 2023
Pita Limjaroenrat, the Move Forward Party's candidate for prime minister, holds a rally in Bangkok on April 22. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi)
Thai election

Move Forward leader Pita vows to bring 'good politics' to Thailand

Progressive opposition party chases win for ballots over bullets in May 14 vote

28 April 2023
"Welcome Me to the Kingdom," Thai American author Mai Nardone's debut story collection, portrays the lives of a handful of recurring characters. (Nikkei montage/Photos courtesy of Mai Nardone) 
Books

Book review: Fiction debut exposes dark side of Thailand

Mai Nardone's short story collection gives a nuanced view of the country

28 April 2023
Tata Motors, maker of the Avinya concept electric vehicle pictured here, accounted for 85% of EV sales in India.
Automobiles

EV revolution in developing Asia needs cheaper models: report

Green car sales soar in India, Thailand, Indonesia; market shares still low

26 April 2023
Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha on the campaign trail in Bangkok on April 20: His United Thai Nation Party is trailing in the polls. (Photo by Kenya Akama)
Opinion

Thai election offers chance to break through reform logjam

Machinations to preserve prerogatives of old order will only bring more decay

25 April 2023
Singapore's Oyika has ambitions to become Southeast Asia's leading EV service provider. (Source photo by Reuters with logos from Oyika and Banpu Next websites)
DealStreetAsia

Singapore EV battery startup Oyika secures $8.75m in funding

Thai smart energy company Banpu Next invests amount as part of Series B round

24 April 2023
Thailand led Southeast Asia in domestic listings last year with 42 initial public offerings. But it lags far behind Hong Kong and Singapore in foreign listings.(Source photo by Ken Kobayashi)
Markets

Thai election makes investment tax policies a hot issue

Investors turn bullish on debates over transaction and capital gains taxes

24 April 2023
Election posters in Bangkok on April 19: A total of 500 seats in the lower house are up for grabs. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi)
Thai election

Thai opposition maintains lead in election race, latest polls find

Prime Minister Prayuth's party lags behind Pheu Thai, Move Forward

21 April 2023
Artist and “Art for Air” founder Kamin Lertchaipraset speaks at the “Air That We Breathe” talk organized by Studio 88 Artist Residency and Dream Space Gallery on March 12. (Courtesy of Studio 88 Artist Residency)
Arts

Thai artists bring creativity to fight against pollution

Northern Thailand's 'Art for Air 2' extravaganza paints sobering picture of life without clean air

21 April 2023
Changan Automobile's Lumin EV is displayed at a Shanghai show. The Chinese company's big splash into Thailand comes three weeks ahead of much-anticipated elections.
Automobiles

Thailand nabs $285m Changan EV plant as Chinese investment booms

Factory to be first outside China for state-owned automaker

20 April 2023
While Thais enjoyed the five-day Songkran weekend, Srettha Thavisin was busy campaigning along the southwest coast in a red shirt typical for Pheu Thai supporters. (Photo by Francesca Regalado)
Thai election

Thai property tycoon Srettha eyes promotion to prime minister

Pheu Thai party would prioritize trade agreements with EU, Africa, Middle East

19 April 2023
Quintessentially Thai: Pad kaprao, left, a stir-fry with a distinct aroma and a flavor of Thai holy basil, and the spicy, sour gaeng som, widely considered the hottest soup on the Thai menu. (All photos by Ken Kobayashi)
Tea Leaves

Thais hone taste for gastro-nationalism

In multilayered culinary culture, dishes are more than just meals

19 April 2023
Stream article image
The Big Story

Thailand's air pollution crisis deepens amid seasonal crop burning

Smoke from agricultural field and forest blazes chokes Southeast Asia

19 April 2023
True became Thailand's largest wireless carrier after a merger with DTAC.
Telecommunication

5G sparks wave of mergers by Southeast Asian telecoms

Consumer advocates say oligopolies could undermine quality of service

19 April 2023
Japanese chemicals maker Kuraray recently began production of high-performance resins at a new plant in eastern Thailand. (Photo courtesy of Kuraray)
Supply Chain

Thailand, Indonesia emerge as bigger links in EV supply chain

Japanese, Chinese and South Korean suppliers get in ahead of vehicle production

18 April 2023
Pheu Thai's prime minister candidates, from left, Chaikasem Nitsiri, Paetongtarn Shinawatra and Srettha Thavisin, attend a rally at Thunderdome Stadium in Nonthaburi Province on April 5. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi)
Thai election

Thailand's largest opposition faces dissolution fears after election

Pheu Thai accused of violating election laws as it gains support

17 April 2023
Higher labor costs are expected to spur demand for labor-saving equipment like conveyor belts.
Technology

Thailand's rising labor costs draw Japan conveyor maker back

Maruyasu Kikai returns to partner with former joint venture, 18 years after exit

15 April 2023
A wind farm in the Netherlands. Mitsubishi Corp. is participating in a large new wind farm in Laos. (Photo courtesy of Mitsubishi subsidiary Eneco)
Energy

Southeast Asia's 'battery' Laos embraces wind power to sustain energy exports

Reliance on hydroelectricity becomes risk as demand grows in Thailand, Vietnam

15 April 2023
Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwan of the ruling Palang Pracharath party and Paetongtarn Shinawatra of the opposition Pheu Thai Party -- a daughter of former leader Thaksin Shinawatra -- are among those in the running for prime minister. (Photos by Ken Kobayashi)
Thai election

Thaksin-backed opposition eyes coalition with Thai ruling party

Pheu Thai seen likely to fall short of enough seats in May election to form a government

14 April 2023