In a surprising twist of events taking place in the grandeur of the Phakdee Bodin Building at Government House, Finance Minister Srettha, wielding his financial wand, convened a rather clandestine gathering of the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) at the bewitching hour of 2 p.m. This wasn’t just any meeting; oh no, it was a rendezvous that saw its usual locale—the austere halls of the Finance Ministry—traded for the illustrious embrace of Government House. Whispers from the corridors of power hinted at a secret agenda simmering beneath the surface of this meeting: a daring plot to expand the fiscal 2025 budget deficit alongside a bold strategy to borrow more, in an effort to bridge the gaping chasm this wider deficit would invariably create. Initially, the ledger for 2025 cast the deficit in the sum of 713 billion baht: a hefty 3.56% of the GDP that loomed on the horizon, vast and…
THAI.NEWS - Thailand Breaking News
Welcome to a bustling hive of activity where the promise of adventure begins even before takeoff! At the heart of this whirlwind of travelers, stands the diligent Airport Director, Wichit Kaewsaitiam, a man with his finger very much on the pulse of tourism and travel trends. According to him, a fresh wind is blowing through the travel industry, thanks to robust government initiatives aimed at revving up tourism. This breeze is evidently carrying travelers not just to exotic destinations, but back to their roots over the holiday period, making the airport a crossroads of stories and reunions. Wichit, with the confidence of a seasoned oracle, predicts an impressive surge in footfall through the airport’s gates. Picture this: 89,362 passengers bustling around daily, weaving through an intricate dance of 590 flights touching down and taking off – a substantial leap of 10.58% from the pedestrian dance of the previous year. The…
Imagine zipping through the bustling streets of Bangkok on the back of a motorcycle, the wind teasing your hair and the city’s vibrant heartbeat pulsating beneath you. This is the daily reality for the tens of thousands of motorcycle taxi riders weaving their way through Thailand’s capital, a city as notorious for its endless traffic jams as it is celebrated for its lively street markets and golden temples. However, beneath the thrilling veneer of this fast-paced job lies a harsh reality that’s far from the exhilarating freedom it might project. On a sunny day not so long ago, an outdoor event unfolded like a breath of fresh air against Bangkok’s backdrop of concrete and smog. The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, in a harmonious partnership with the Thai Health Promotion Foundation (ThaiHealth) and the Office of the Narcotics Control Board, orchestrated an unusual but uplifting gathering. Picture this: scores of motorcycle taxi…
Welcome to the heart of literary revelry in Bangkok! Nestled within the grand halls of the Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre, the 22nd Bangkok International Book Fair and the 52nd Thailand Book Fair are unfurling their pages in a spectacular showcase that commenced this past Thursday and will continue to delight book enthusiasts until April 8. Spearheaded by Duangporn Sutthisomboon, the industrious vice president of the Publishers and Booksellers Association of Thailand (PUBAT), this event is etching an unforgettable chapter in the city’s cultural calendar. Imagine strolling through an emporium where the world’s literary treasures converge under one roof. With 11 international publishers from the esteemed shores of Britain to the captivating landscapes of Taiwan, Japan, China, and the historic terrains of Ukraine, the fair boasts an impressive array of 18 booths. Each is a gateway to worlds unknown, with publishers sharing a singular belief that ignites their journey to…
In a world where diplomacy and defense intertwine like the intricate plot of an international spy thriller, the narrative of Thailand’s quest for maritime prowess takes an intriguing turn. Sutin, our protagonist in this geopolitical dance, finds himself amidst a high-stakes negotiation, not for secrets, but for something equally compelling – submarines. Imagine the scene: the bustling streets of China, where last week, our envoy-extraordinaire, Sutin, embarked on a pivotal journey. His mission? To engage in a diplomatic ballet with a Chinese committee vested with the monumental task of negotiating the sale of a submarine to the Royal Thai Navy. The stakes? High. The atmosphere? Electric. The narrative thickens as Sutin recounts his expeditions through the corridors of negotiation. With the poise of a seasoned diplomat, he articulated the concerns that have been the talk of Thai society – the looming question marks over the quality of a Chinese-made engine…
It was on a bustling Monday that Phumtham divulged a rather juicy tidbit, one that could very well change the fortunes of Thai rice exporters. He mentioned he’d been rallying trade representatives stationed at Thai embassies across the globe to sniff out golden opportunities for export. Lo and behold, the envoy nestled in the heart of Italy chimed in with news as delightful as an Italian opera – Italy was in dire need of more rice, courtesy of an unyielding drought. Adding another layer to this unfolding drama, Phumtham shared how the European Union, in a rather bold move, had stripped Vietnam and Myanmar of their tax privileges. The reason? Both nations had apparently turned a blind eye to the fundamental rights of their laborers. Yet, Phumtham underscored a caveat that sounded like a ticking clock in the midst of this serendipity – Thailand had but a fleeting window to…
Gone are the days of predictable economic forecasts, as the ever-dynamic Southeast Asia’s powerhouse, Thailand, takes us on a roller coaster ride of economic expectations for the upcoming years. Initially set at a hopeful 3.2% and 3.1% for 2024 and 2025, the growth outlook has unexpectedly hit a detour, dialing back to more modest projections. What’s behind this sudden shift in economic winds, you ask? Let’s dive into the high seas of fiscal forecasts and unravel the mystery. In a surprising turn of events, Thailand’s economy, the silver medalist of Southeast Asia, only managed a sluggish 1.9% expansion in 2023. Moreover, in a plot twist worthy of a financial thriller, the last quarter of 2023 saw the economy retract by 0.6% from its third-quarter performance. This unexpected downturn prompted Thailand’s central bank to adjust its spectacles and recalibrate its 2024 growth outlook to a range between 2.5% and 3.0%, a…
In the vibrant realms of finance and civic planning, the story of Thailand’s financial journey from October 2023 through to the fresh beginnings of this year is one that unfolds with the intrigue of a financial thriller. As articulated by the eloquent spokesman of the ministry, Pornchai Teerawet, this tale involves billions of baht, forward-thinking environmental policies, a dance of numbers, and the relentless pursuit of a fiscal equilibrium. Let us delve into the intricacies of this narrative. The ministry, a guardian of the nation’s coffers, encountered a mild tremor in its financial projections. The period in question saw it amassing a colossal sum of 981.90 billion baht, a figure that, while substantial, whispered tales of shortfall whispers in the hallowed halls of government finance. This amount and sang a somber tune of being 2.5% or approximately 25.14 billion baht shy of their golden target. Furthermore, when cast under the…
As swarms of tourists basked under the unyielding gaze of the sun near the grandeur of the Grand Palace last week, little did they know that they were about to dance with the fiery extremes of the Thai summer. Clad in their best summer wear, ready to explore the rich history and culture Thailand has to offer, they were inadvertently signing up for a rendezvous with temperatures that could soar to the heights of 43.0-44.5 degrees Celsius. Yes, you heard that right. According to the oracle of weather, the Meteorological Department, this month is set to turn the heat up, quite literally. The forecasters, acting as the modern-day seers, have unleashed a prediction that could make even the sun take a step back. From the scorching sands of the northeast to the balmy breezes of the east, the entire stretch is likely to be enveloped in a cloak of heat…
Imagine a world where the backbone of urban development, the construction industry, faces an unprecedented challenge. Among the bustling streets and rising skyscrapers of Thailand, one company stands at the forefront of this narrative – Italian-Thai Development Plc (ITD), a titan in the construction sector, grappling with a liquidity crisis that has brought it to its knees. It’s a tale of resilience, economic twists, and the relentless pursuit of equilibrium. As the curtain rose on a Monday not long ago, a beacon of hope flickered on the horizon. The man of the hour, Suriya, elucidated a groundbreaking measure poised to revolutionize the landscape for contractors nationwide. The spotlight shone on the “K factor” or escalation factor compensation, a vital financial safeguard designed to shield contractors from the unforeseeable fluctuations in costs. This, Suriya confidently declared, would be the lifeline ITD and its comrades in arms needed to navigate their liquidity…