The 120 billion baht One Bangkok commercial complex opened in October to major economic headwinds. (Photo by Yuki Kohara)
Comment

Thailand PM faces household debt fueled by past 'Thaksinomics'

Programs under Paetongtarn Shinawatra's aunt encouraged excessive borrowing

5 November 2024
Siam Cement Group's Long Son Petrochemicals complex in the southern Vietnamese province of Ba Ria-Vung Tau had only begun operating on Sept. 30. (File photo of the group's logo in Bangkok.) 
Materials

Siam Cement halts operations at $5.4bn Vietnam petrochemical complex

Thailand's largest conglomerate says resumption will depend on 'global dynamic demand'

4 November 2024
An Isuzu Motors pickup truck rolls through Khlong Toei Market in Bangkok: Pickups are known as "people's cars" in Thailand due to their popularity. (Photo by Kenya Akama)
Automobiles

Isuzu struggling with shrinking Thai pickup truck market

Tighter financial conditions also chilling hot Chinese automakers

3 November 2024
A general view shows the town of Metula in northern Israel, pictured in October 2023.
Middle East crisis

Four Thai nationals killed near Israel-Lebanon border, says Thai official

Bangkok's foreign minister urges peace 'in the name of innocent civilians'

1 November 2024
Asadej Kongsiri became president of the Stock Exchange of Thailand in September, taking over the bourse as it recovers from a 15.2% fall of its benchmark index last year. (Photo by Adryel Talamantes)
Markets

New SET chief vouches for market quality amid Pheu Thai dissolution risk

Thai bourse aims to court new health care, auto supply chain listings, Kongsiri says

1 November 2024
YKKO serves wheat and rice noodles with a variety of toppings. (Photo by Nikkei) 
Food & Beverage

Myanmar's Yoma Group launches YKKO noodle chain in Thailand

Conglomerate chases overseas demand amid turmoil at home

1 November 2024
A third runway at Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport begins full operation in November. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi)
Transportation

Thailand plans nearly $3bn airport build-up to double capacity by 2032

New runway, facial recognition part of improvements to Suvarnabhumi, other hubs

1 November 2024
Lach Huyen International Port, in the northern Vietnamese city of Haiphong, opened in May 2018 and can accommodate large container ships. (Photo by Atsushi Tomiyama)
Trade

Philippine, Vietnamese exports to U.S. jump as supply chains shift

ASEAN's America-bound shipments top China-bound for 2nd straight quarter

31 October 2024
Thai Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa, right, received the accession roadmap in Bangkok on Wednesday from OECD Secretary-General Mathias Cormann.  (Photo by Francesca Regalado)
International relations

Thailand begins OECD accession after BRICS debut

Indonesia also enters yearslong process to join club of high-income economies

30 October 2024
Two members of the TCC group's founding family have played central roles in developing the One Bangkok complex. (Photo by Yuki Kohara)
Property

Thai group TCC's landmark complex tests generational leadership shift

Will One Bangkok show synergy between businesses divided among founder's heirs?

26 October 2024
Thonglor Nihon Ichiba market in Bangkok sells fresh tuna and other seafood to customers including Japanese chefs. (J Value)
Transportation

Japan Airlines seeks to boost food shipments via Thai tie-up

Carrier delivers fresh seafood to market serving chefs and well-off diners

25 October 2024
Thai car production sputtered in September amid economic headwinds in the Southeast Asian country.
Automobiles

Thai car production drops 25% in September as demand skids

Weak economy drags domestic car sales to lowest in four years

24 October 2024
Soldiers stand guard in Bangkok during the May 2014 coup that brought Gen. Prayuth Chan-ocha to power. U.S. author Paul Chambers' courageous book is a reminder that the triumph of the generals has come at a heavy price paid by the Thai public.
Books

Books: Inside Thailand's 'praetorian' military

New book examines how kingdom's armed forces have influenced politics for nine decades

24 October 2024
Thai cosmetics products for sale at a Japanese retailer in October. (Photo by Moe Saito)
Consumer

Thai cosmetics try to gain foothold in Japanese market

Affordable, heat-resistant products eye South Korea's dominance

23 October 2024
AI Medical Service is offering an endoscopy AI analysis system for aiding in stomach cancer diagnosis in Brazil. (AI Medical Service)
Health Care

AI diagnosis tech to help Thailand, Brazil navigate doctor shortages

Japanese startups bring specialized expertise and services to emerging markets

20 October 2024
From caviar and chocolate makers to high-end grocery stores, many Thai businesses are benefiting from burgeoning consumer interest in locally sourced products. (Source photos by Thai Sturgeon Farm, Vivin, Kad Kokoa)
Life

Post-pandemic Thailand redefines local flavors

Shifting tastes trigger growth of homegrown luxury food producers

20 October 2024
Central is adding solar panels, electric forklifts, and electric vehicle charging to its supermarkets in Vietnam. (Photo from Central Retail Vietnam FB)
Companies

Thai grocer Central to use rooftop solar, EVs in Vietnam

Nation is No. 2 solar panel maker but struggles as FDI drives factory thirst for energy

18 October 2024
Customers wait at a Mixue store in Bangkok on Oct. 14. (Photo by Yuki Kohara)
Food & Beverage

China's budget-friendly food chains sweep across Southeast Asia

Mixue wins over young consumers in Vietnam; Cotti Coffee moves into Thailand

17 October 2024
Siam Commercial Bank has become the first Thai lender to embrace the commercialization of stablecoins. (Photo by Yumi Kotani)
Cryptocurrencies

Siam Commercial Bank launches stablecoin-based cross-border payments

Blockchain-based technology wins confidence of Thailand's oldest bank

16 October 2024
The Bank of Thailand on Oct. 16 cut its policy interest rate by a quarter point, confounding a Reuters poll of economists, 24 out of 28 of whom expected the bank to stand pat. (Photo by Hiroki Endo)
Economy

Thai central bank surprises market with first rate cut since 2020

Philippine central bank also makes dovish decision; Bank Indonesia stands pat

16 October 2024
A vendor serves a customer at a traditional market in Jakarta. Bank Indonesia is among the region's central banks expected to cut interest rates relatively quickly following the U.S. Federal Reserve's downward move.
Economy

ASEAN central banks diverge on rates as domestic factors come to fore

Indonesia and Philippines set to move quicker to support growth after U.S. cut

16 October 2024
LG Electronics has been a pioneer in appliance subscription services since 2009. (LG Electronics)
Electronics

LG to offer appliance subscriptions in Thailand, India in service shift

South Korean manufacturer seeks higher-margin escape from Chinese price competition

16 October 2024