Economy News
Thailand economy news, business updates, financial markets, and government policies—stay informed on economic developments shaping the nation. Get the latest from The Thaiger, your trusted source for Thailand economic news.
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Thailand’s inflation hits 2.42% in June as food vendors raise prices nationwide
Thailand‘s headline inflation rose 2.42% year on year in June, marking a third consecutive month in positive territory, as higher fuel costs and rising food prices continue to squeeze household budgets across the country. The Trade Policy and Strategy Office (TPSO) under the Ministry of Commerce reported that the consumer price index reached 102.85 in June, driven primarily by elevated…
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Thailand shifts towards clean energy, modern power infrastructure
The Thai government said today, July 5, it is accelerating efforts to restructure the country’s energy sector by expanding clean energy as part of plans to strengthen energy security and support long-term economic growth. Government spokesperson Ratchada Thanadirek said countries are entering a new phase of global competition focused not only on technology and manufacturing but also on the ability…
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Nominee-run Chinese recycling plants leaked toxic waste across Thailand
Since China’s “National Sword” policy took effect in January 2018, banning imports of contaminated plastic and electronic waste, the recycling industry that was once concentrated inside China has scattered across the region. As a result, Thailand has absorbed a large share of it. For decades, China took in almost half the world’s recyclable waste. When it shut its doors, Thailand,…
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Thailand’s 12-year plan targets high-income status
Thailand’s government and private sector have agreed on a 12-year plan to lift the Thai economy to high-income country status, following the first meeting of the Joint Public-Private Consultative Committee on June 22. Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas announced the outcomes at Government House in Bangkok. The meeting was chaired by Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul. Ekniti said…
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Thailand to tighten restrictions after 50-baht food paid on instalment
The Bank of Thailand (BOT) is preparing tighter regulations for buy now pay later (BNPL) services following concerns over rising levels of bad debt among younger borrowers. BOT Governor Withai Rattanakorn announced the planned measures during the Governor Connect event on Tuesday, June 2. The new rules are expected to be introduced by the end of this year. According to…
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Co-payment scheme begins, opposition flags borrowed funds
More than 39.2 million people have begun receiving 1,000 baht in government support today, June 1, as the Thais Help Thais Plus co-payment scheme officially launches, according to the Finance Ministry. Permanent Secretary for Finance Lavaron Sangsnit said beneficiaries comprise 13.18 million state welfare cardholders and 26.04 million people registered under the 60/40 co-payment programme. Funds are accessible daily from…
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Thailand eases foreign business red tape in eight sectors to cut regulatory overlap
Thailand’s Cabinet has approved in principle two pieces of draft subordinate legislation under the Foreign Business Act 1999, exempting eight service business categories from the requirement to obtain a foreign business licence, the government announced on May 12. Deputy Government Spokesperson for the Prime Minister’s Office, Patdarasm Thongsaluaykorn, announced the Cabinet meeting. The two instruments, a draft royal decree and…
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Thailand Labour Day march targets rising costs, job insecurity
Hundreds of workers marched to Government House in Bangkok today, May 1, on Thailand Labour Day 2026, pressing the government for fair wages, job security, and expanded social protections as part of International Workers’ Day events held worldwide. Labour groups led by the State Enterprises Workers’ Relations Confederation and the Thai Labour Solidarity Confederation gathered at Democracy Monument on Ratchadamnoen…
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Bangchak oil tanker reaches Thailand after Hormuz passage
Bangchak said its oil tanker MT.POLA arrived safely in Thailand at Si Racha district, Chon Buri, today, April 8, after passing through the Strait of Hormuz and delivering crude oil to the company’s refinery. The voyage followed diplomatic coordination involving Thailand, Iran and Oman, which reportedly allowed Thai cargo vessels to use the route on March 23 to 24. The…
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Thailand plans overnight petrol station restrictions after April 20
Thailand could begin restricting fuel station operating hours after April 20, with petrol stations potentially closing from 10pm to 5am as the government considers energy-saving measures amid conflict in the Middle East. Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said yesterday, on April 7, that the government is working on oil-saving measures to ensure the country has enough fuel for domestic use. He…
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Long queues form at Pattaya stations as fuel price hike takes effect
Retail fuel prices in Thailand are set to rise by 6 baht per litre from today, March 26, after the State Oil Fund Administration Committee approved a cut to subsidy rates for both diesel and petrol, according to reports yesterday, March 25. The change affects all fuel types and follows rising global oil prices linked to tensions in the Middle…
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March 26 Thailand fuel prices updated across five major brands
Thailand fuel prices were updated for today, March 26, in a daily report from the Energy Policy and Planning Office (EPPO) under the Ministry of Energy, covering five major service station brands including PTT, Bangchak, PT, Caltex and Shell. At PTT stations, gasohol 95 was priced at 41.05 baht per litre, gasohol E20 at 36.05 baht, gasohol E85 at 32.79…
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UAE property market slows sharply as deals fall 51% month on month
Property transactions in the UAE have slowed sharply since the latest conflict in the Middle East began, according to investment bank Goldman Sachs, which said rising regional uncertainty is starting to weigh directly on homebuyer demand. The war is now entering its third week and has increased volatility across financial and energy assets in the region. Goldman Sachs analysts, led…
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Transport Ministry denies Khlong Saen Saep boat fare hike rumours
The Transport Ministry has denied reports that passenger boat fares on Bangkok’s Khlong Saen Saep canal will rise by 1 baht per segment this week, saying the operator has confirmed there has been no change to the current rates. The clarification followed claims that Khlong Saen Saep boat fares would increase from 11 to 21 baht to 12 to 22 baht,…
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1,000 trucks assemble in Chon Buri in fuel shortage protest
More than 1,000 trucks assembled in Chon Buri this morning, March 18, as the Land Transport Federation of Thailand pushed for government action over the ongoing fuel shortage. Its president is urging changes to fuel supply management, stating that certain energy capital groups are thriving at a time when the general public is struggling the most. At 9.20am, Land Transport…
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Energy chief apologises for petrol station delays, says fuel sufficient
Thailand’s fuel supply remains sufficient despite recent disruption at petrol stations, the director-general of the Department of Energy Business said today, March 17, after apologising for queues and delivery problems seen in recent days. Speaking at Government House, Sarawut Kaewtathip began with a public apology for what he described as confusion and obstacles faced outside fuel stations. Sarawut said Thailand…
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Thailand oil reserves revised to 95 days after new supply confirmed
Thailand is preparing to tighten fuel exports and bolster domestic stockpiles, with Energy Minister Attapol Ruekpibul saying yesterday, March 5, that Thailand’s oil reserves and confirmed incoming supply should be enough for about 95 days. Speaking at Government House, Attapol said the earlier estimate of 60 days’ oil reserves had been revised to reflect the real figures. Thailand currently holds…
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Phuket drivers rush to fill tanks as fears of a fuel price rise spread
Phuket motorists rushed to refuel yesterday evening, March 3, with long queues forming at a Bangchak petrol station in Kathu as concerns grew that fuel costs could rise amid uncertainty in the Middle East. Vans and taxis running main routes such as Kathu to Patong were among those filling up, along with riders and other residents. The queue reportedly stretched beyond…
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Pheu Thai eyes gaming industry reform to boost digital economy
Pheu Thai’s prime ministerial and MP candidate Yodchanan Wongsawat met with gaming industry leaders in Bangkok yesterday, January 12, to explore ways to elevate the country’s position in the global digital economy. Executives from the Thai Game Software Industry Association (TGA), along with developers, publishers and platform operators, joined the meeting. The discussion aimed to address challenges and potential in…
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Staff shortage paralyze delivery network as thousands of parcels pile up
A major logistics disruption has unfolded in Yala Province after a mass resignation of delivery workers left tens of thousands of parcels stranded inside a local warehouse, triggering mounting public frustration and urgent calls for corrective action. On December 28, reporters visited a warehouse operated by a well-known shipping company in Yala after customers began reporting severe delays and missing…
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Thailand unveils 800k tax deductions under TISA plan
Thailand’s Finance Ministry is launching a new savings initiative to help citizens prepare for an ageing population, with tax deductions of up to 800,000 baht under the Thailand Individual Savings Account (TISA) scheme. Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas revealed that the economic ministerial meeting yesterday, December 8, approved a key measure under the government’s fifth economic pillar,…
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Thailand unveils six eco-friendly tax measures for 2027
Thailand’s Excise Department plans to roll out six new tax initiatives to promote environmental sustainability and improve public health. Director-General Pornchai Thiraveja said these policies aim to align with shifting global trade standards, which now place more emphasis on climate action and public health. The measures also support upcoming carbon-related regulations. Bangkok Post reported that the first measure expands the tax…
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Thai investors eye gold boom as prices set to surge
Thai gold prices are expected to rise sharply next year, driven by global economic uncertainty, rising central bank demand, and stalled trade talks. Thai gold trader MTS Gold Group predicts bullion will end 2025 at around US$4,380 (approximately 159,000 baht), just shy of the record US$4,379.13 seen in October. In Thailand, local gold prices are expected to hover between 67,000…
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Thai govt to hike VAT to 10% by 2030 in budget rescue plan
The government plans to gradually raise VAT to 10% to address rising deficits, as revealed by the finance minister during a major economic event in Bangkok. Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas revealed plans to gradually increase VAT, starting with a 1.5% rise to 8.5% by 2028. The announcement was made during his address at the Money Expo 2025 Bangkok Year-End, where…
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Thai budget deficit dips by 8.4% as economy stumbles on
Thailand’s Cabinet approved a new fiscal plan projecting reduced budget deficit and increased spending, aiming to stabilise the economy amid weak growth. Thailand’s government has announced an 8.4% reduction in the national budget deficit for the 2027 fiscal year, signalling a cautious step towards stabilising public finances amid a sluggish economy. Yesterday, November 18, the Cabinet approved a medium-term fiscal…
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Thai shops caught hiking prices under co-pay scheme
The Thai government is cracking down on shops accused of raising prices and violating rules after joining a nationwide co-payment scheme to aid consumers. Santi Piyatat, a minister from the Prime Minister’s Office, revealed that the Office of the Consumer Protection Board (OCPB) received 66 complaints between October 29 and November 11, flagging widespread misuse. Among them, 29 involved shops…
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Second cash splash eyed as Thai govt plans new co-pay scheme
Thailand’s government is planning a second phase of its co-payment scheme to support those who missed out earlier and boost spending in early 2026. The Finance Ministry is preparing to launch a second phase of the Khon La Khrueng Plus co-payment scheme early next year, aimed at those who missed out on the first round of registration. Lavaron Sangsnit, permanent…
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Loy Krathong to rake in 6.5 billion baht despite toned-down mood
Thailand’s Loy Krathong Festival is expected to draw nearly 2 million local tourists and generate billions in revenue, despite scaled-back celebrations nationwide. The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) reports that around 1.91 million domestic tourists will take part in the nationwide festival today, November 5, opting for serene celebrations over the usual fanfare due to the national mourning period honouring…
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Gold Price in Thailand Drops 100 THB; Ornaments Sell at 62,200
The Gold Traders Association (GTA) announced the domestic gold prices today November 4, 2025. In the first announcement at 9:05 AM, the price decreased by 100 THB compared to yesterday’s closing price (Nov 3). The prices announced by the association are as follows: 96.5% Gold Bar Buy: 61,300.00 THB Sell: 61,400.00 THB 96.5% Gold Ornaments Base Tax: 60,079.08 THB Sell:…
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Thai welfare cardholders get year-end cash boost from November
The Thai government will grant state welfare cardholders an extra 1,700 baht over two months to ease living costs and boost year-end economic activity. Starting today, November 1, over 13.4 million welfare cardholders across Thailand will receive an additional 1,700 baht in total, spread over two months. The new measure was confirmed by government spokesperson Siripong Angkasakulkiat following a Cabinet…
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