Economy and commerce
Thai Central Bank Unveils Measures to Tackle High Household Debt
Thailand’s central bank announced a slew of relief measures for borrowers struggling to repay home loans and credit card dues, stepping up efforts to tackle the highest household indebtedness in Southeast Asia.The minimum repayment rate of 8% for credit-card users, which the central bank earlier ...
Thomas Kutty Abraham
Thailand's most important economic goal
Any relatively new finance minister, such as Pichai Chunhavajira, comes into office facing a crowded agenda: Maintain good relations with the central bank, ensure strong revenue collections and pursue fiscally responsible policies, manage customs and excise. Keep an eye on inflation, which reached 1.54% in ...
Thailand bets on B500bn cash handout to revive economy
The government expects the rollout of a long-delayed cash handout to most adult citizens to help reverse a slump in economic activity and tackle the highest household debt in Southeast Asia. The distribution of 10,000 baht each to all Thais 16 years and older under a ...
Seeking new engines of growth
About 40 years ago, natural gas was discovered in the Gulf of Thailand, creating excitement across the country. This period marked the dawn of Thailand’s golden era. Following this discovery, the Eastern Seaboard Development Project was initiated to develop the eastern coastal region. Foreign investment ...
Bangkok Post Reporter
BoT views household debt trend as easing
The Bank of Thailand anticipates a further decline in the country’s household debt-to-GDP ratio, supported by the Thai economic recovery and slower loan growth.According to central bank governor Sethaput Suthiwartnarueput, Thailand’s household debt-to-GDP was 90.9% in the first quarter this year, slightly reduced from the ...
Bangkok Post Reporter
Bank of Thailand insists current policy interest rate ‘appropriate’
The current policy interest rate in Thailand is quite appropriate to the country’s economic landscape and recovery pace, the Bank of Thailand (BOT) insisted on Monday, in its latest response to the current debate which has seen some business leaders and analysts complain that interest ...
The Nation Reporter
Finance Ministry to release ESG investment promotional package
The Finance Ministry is preparing to release an incentives package to support environment, social, governance (ESG) related investments. The package, which is expected to be released in the first quarter of 2024, will include tax deductions for investments in such projects.According to the Finance Ministry’s ...
The Nation Reporter
Economic problems biggest burden in 2023: poll
Most people felt frustrated by economic problems in 2023 although in general they were fairly happy with the year, according to the results of a survey by the National Institute of Development Administration, or Nida Poll. The poll was conducted on Dec 12-20 by telephone interviews ...
Bangkok Post Reporter
Higher govt spending, export rebound expected to boost Thai GDP growth
Increasing government spending, higher public consumption as well as private investment could boost Thailand’s gross domestic product (GDP) growth in 2024 to 2.7 to 3.7 per cent, the National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC) said on Friday.NESDC secretary-general Danucha Pichayanan said the council expected ...
The Nation Reporter
BOI approves 'green' investment projects, PM2.5 projects
The Board of Investment’s (BOI) board of directors have approved measures to promote investment to address the issue of PM2.5 particulate pollution, according to the organisation’s secretary-general, Narit Therdsteerasukdi.The measures involve expanding the scope of support through investment promotion measures for community and social development. ...
The Nation Reporter