Economy and commerce

Thailand’s central bank expects virtual banks to begin operating in the second quarter of 2025, it said in a statement on Thursday.The Bank of Thailand said it plans to propose giving licences to three operators for virtual banks, but may open this up for additional ...

The Thai government, businesses, and citizens are cherishing the news of returning Chinese tourists with the first group of 286 passengers who arrived on Monday. The Tourism Authority of Thailand estimates that 5 million Chinese tourists will visit our country this year, bringing with them ...

The Board of Investment (BoI) has joined hands with the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) to push ahead with new investments in targeted industries in line with bio-, circular and green (BCG) economic development. A joint committee will be set up by the two institutions to ...

Thailand’s economy may not reach a forecast growth of 3.8% next year due to a global economic slowdown, but this year’s outlook should still be achieved, the finance minister said on Tuesday.Slowing exports will not affect the ministry’s growth outlook of 3.4% for this year ...

After more than 30 years of exemption, the Thai Cabinet on Tuesday approved levying a financial transaction tax for trades in the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET).The plan to tax SET traders has been around for 30 years, but it has always been waived by ...

Thailand’s core inflation surged to the highest since 2008 on higher energy and food costs, piling pressure on the nation’s central bank to start raising interest rates.Core price gains, which strips out volatile food and fuel items, was 3% in July, quickening from 2.51% a ...

Thailand’s central bank said on Friday (Aug 5) it expected to test its retail digital currency from late this year to the middle of 2023, as an alternative payment option.During the testing, the retail central bank digital currency (CBDC) will be used in conducting cash-like ...

Thailand’s economy is still expected to grow 2.75 per cent to 3.5 per cent this year, helped by increased exports, more tourists, and government support, but faces rising inflationary pressures, a leading joint business group said on Wednesday (Aug 3).Exports are expected to increase 6 ...

The Joint Standing Committee on Commerce, Industry and Banking (JSCCIB) believes the banking sector will delay raising the interest rate in line with the Bank of Thailand’s anticipated gradual policy rate hike.Under the policy rate hike trend in the second half of this year, banks ...

Thailand’s economy improved in June and the momentum is expected to continue into the second half of 2022 thanks to increased tourism and domestic consumption as pandemic curbs eased.The Bank of Thailand (BoT)’s Senior Director Chayawadee Chai-Anant said the tourism sector will play an important ...