Economy and commerce
Consumer confidence index at its lowest point since the 1997/98 economic crisis
Thailand’s Consumer Confidence Index plunged to 46 points in April from 48.5 points in March, the University of Thai Chamber of Commerce (UTCC) said in a press release on Thursday.The UTCC, which compiles the monthly reports, said that the index was its lowest since October ...
Bank of Thailand leaves rate at record low, warns of Covid risk
The central bank left its key interest rate unchanged at a record low of 0.50% on Wednesday, as expected, preserving its limited ammunition as the economy struggles with a third wave of coronavirus infections.The latest outbreak has slowed domestic activity for the tourism-reliant economy at ...
Consumer prices rise year-on-year for the first time since start of pandemic
Thailand’s headline consumer price index (CPI) in April jumped 3.41 per cent year-on-year to 100.48 points, the first time it rose in 14 months, the Ministry of Commerce said Wednesday.“The surge of consumer price index in April was the highest record in eight years and ...
Companies depositing less with banks
Liquidity in the domestic banking sector has been declining due to higher deposit withdrawals from business operators attempting to cope with the impact of the prolonged pandemic.According to Kasikorn Research Center (K-Research), outstanding deposits at 19 registered commercial banks in the first quarter of 2021 ...
Somruedi Banchongduang
State hurries GI registration
Thailand is speeding up registration of geographical indication (GI) products in four countries to prevent foreign sellers from claiming they make the products and helping to increase Thai exports during the pandemic this year.GI is a certificate indicating goods with unique characteristics come from certain ...
Phusadee Arunmas
BoT to slash growth outlook
The fresh wave of Covid-19 infections has the Bank of Thailand likely to slash its economic growth forecast for this year from a previous prediction of 3%.The central bank is monitoring the impact of the third wave, with a downgrade possible because of the effects ...
Somruedi Banchongduang
Over 80% Thai businesses struggling due to pandemic: PwC report
More than 80 per cent of Thai organisations surveyed by PwC recently said they were hit adversely by the Covid-19 pandemic, while the report indicated that successful crisis recovery hinges on improving resiliency.The Thailand part of PwC’s “Global Crisis Survey 2021” – a global survey ...
The Nation Reporter
State preps B300bn for new measures
The government looks set to prepare more than 300 billion baht’s worth of new measures to help reduce people’s expenses and stimulate domestic consumption battered by a fresh wave of Covid-19 infections.Kulaya Tantitemit, the director-general of the Fiscal Policy Office under the Finance Ministry, said ...
Wichit Chantanusornsiri
Banks maintain NPL ratio amid virus risk
Ten SET-listed commercial banks restrained their non-performing loan (NPL) ratio in the first quarter of 2021 as they set aside a relatively high provision for loan loss amid uncertainty brought about by the pandemic.Among the big players, Bangkok Bank (BBL) and Krungthai Bank (KTB) reported ...
Somruedi Banchongduang
Thai economy may lose $3 billion a month after new virus outbreak
Thailand’s economy could lose 100 billion baht ($3.2 billion) a month, a university warned on Thursday, as the country struggles with a third wave of the coronavirus. The University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce said the latest wave could reduce the number of workers by ...
