Economy and commerce
Credit card spending up 20% in second quarter
Credit card spending in Thailand during the second quarter of this year increased by more than 20% and is expected to continue throughout the year, with an increase of no less than 20% for the whole of 2023.According to Thakorn Piyapan, President of TMBThanachart Bank, ...
The Nation Reporter
Govt eyes economic boost from health and wellness tourism
The government is promoting health tourism and related products and services in a new campaign to get overseas visitors to spend at least 18 million baht by this September. The “Discover the New You!” campaign is backed by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) and more ...
Bangkok Post Reporter
Thailand's household debt swells amid policy stagnation concerns
It has been nearly two months since Thai voters crowned a newish, pro-democratic Move Forward Party the winner in the May 14 general election. While Thailand awaits the formation of a new government, its long-standing headache of excessive household debt continues to worsen, making the ...
Thai economy to remain sluggish, research body says
According to Kiatnakin Phatra Financial Group’s KKP Research group, the Thai economy will remain sluggish for the foreseeable future despite the recovery of the tourism sector,Most securities research firms had earlier expressed the belief that the Thai economy would recover based on the following three ...
The Nation Reporter
Banks wary of BOT's proposed debt relief criteria
The Bank of Thailand (BOT) is poised to issue three guidelines to reduce household debt – which rose to 16 trillion baht or 90.6% of GDP in the first quarter, from 86.3% last year.The central bank said it will propose guidelines on responsible lending, risk-based ...
The Nation Reporter
Increase in internet users boosts online shopping business
The number of Thais accessing the internet has increased by 13.7 million people in 5 years, reaching a total of 61.2 million users, according to data released by Krungthai BankThe use of social media has surged to 52.3 million people, with Facebook and Line dominating ...
The Nation Reporter
Digital platform law spelled out
A royal decree meant to regulate digital platforms will take effect on Aug 21, intended to transparently govern operators and promote consumer protection, says Digital Economy and Society Minister Chaiwut Thanakamanusorn. The digital platform service law was published in the Royal Gazette on Dec 23, 2022.Once ...
Bangkok Post Reporter
Economy strong despite weak exports, baht supportive - Finance Minister
Thailand’s economy remains strong, despite weaker shipments, though the weaker baht currency will be supportive of exports this year, Finance Minister Arkhom Termpittayapaisith said on Friday. The weaker baht compared with last year could for the full year 2023 help exports to either grow, or fall ...
Bank of Thailand raises growth forecasts following tourism boom
The Thai economy is likely to expand 3.6% this year and 3.8% next year due to stronger-than-expected growth in the tourist industry, according to the Bank of Thailand (BOT).It said the number of foreign tourists could hit 29 million this year and 35.5 million next ...
The Nation Reporter
Interest rates forecast to continue rising
Research houses expect the Bank of Thailand to raise its policy rate one or two additional times this year because of an upside risk to inflation as the economy recovers.SCB Economic Intelligence Center (EIC), a research unit of Siam Commercial Bank, predicts the central bank’s ...
Bangkok Post Reporter