BHUMJAITHAI Party confirmed that the new coalition government is not planning to increase value added tax (VAT) to 10% for the next two to three years amid criticism that this is what is looming, Naewna newspaper said today (Feb. 23). Mr. Siripong Angkasakulkiat, Bhumjaithai’s deputy leader, said concern about a VAT hike mounted after
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After court ruling, Trump says US global tariff rate will rise from 10% to 15%
By Reuters and published by Yahoo!News WASHINGTON – US President Donald Trump said on Saturday (Feb. 21) he will raise a temporary tariff from 10% to 15% on US imports from all countries, the maximum level allowed under the law, after the US Supreme Court struck down his previous tariff programme. The move came
Read moreTrump vows 10% global tariff after stinging court rebuke
By AFP and published by CNA WASHINGTON – US President Donald Trump vowed on Friday (Feb. 20) to impose a 10 percent tariff on all imports into the United States after the Supreme Court handed him a stinging rebuke by striking down his signature economic policy. The conservative-majority top court ruled six-three that a
Read moreTax hike will make Thai airports more expensive than world’s best
AFTER Airports of Thailand Plc (AOT) announced an increase in the international departure passenger service charge (PSC) from 730 baht to 1,120 baht per person, effective June 20, 2026 onwards, it has been noted that Thailand thenceforth would be charging more than leading airports worldwide, Naewna newspaper said yesterday (Feb. 20). The fee increase
Read morePM tells Finance Minister GDP growth must exceed 2.5% in 2026
CARTAKER Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul today (Feb. 19) summoned Deputy Prime Ministe-cum-Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanpraphat, Minister of Digital Economy and Society Chaichanok Chidchob, and Justice Minister Pol. Gen. Ruttaphon Naowarat to a meeting where he emphasised that Thailand’s GDP growth must exceed 2.5% this year, Amarin TV said this evening. This followed the Office
Read moreCould the public handle 1,000 baht Koh Samui bridge toll?
AS THE Expressway Authority of Thailand (EXAT) is now proceeding with a feasibility study of building a bridge connecting mainland Surat Thai to Koh Samui a politician raised the question whether the public will be able to cope with 1,000 baht toll fee per trip with this rate being more expensive than some world-class
Read more700+ factories closed, 1,200+ opened in 2025
WHILE 786 factories closed in 2025 and 1,220 new ones opened, there were more closures than openings in December for the first time in two years, PPTVHD36 quoted Kasikorn Research Centre as saying today (Feb. 6). This reflects ongoing structural problems and intense competition in the manufacturing sector, the research centre pointed out, Although
Read moreSilver price soaring like gold amid global uncertainty
JUST as gold skyrocketed to giddy heights recently, so has silver amid global political uncertainty mainly sparked by US President Donald Trump’s tariff threats rising 55% in the first month of this year, PPTVHD36 said today (Feb. 1). Ms. Thipa Navawattanaprasert, CEO of YLG Bullion and Futures Co., Ltd., said after opening at US$71.58
Read moreThai central bank flags gold trade curbs, plays down impact of US monitoring list
By Reuters and published by CNA THAILAND’S new rules to curb online gold trading were designed to help weaken the baht, the country’s central bank said on Friday (Jan. 30) as it downplayed any impact from the United States adding Thailand to its currency manipulation monitoring list. The central bank has blamed gold trading
Read moreBorder trade slowdown expected to drag on this year
A SURVEY shows that border trade will likely continue slowing down this year being impacted by the tension at Thai-Cambodian border and higher transportation costs with over 80 billion baht lost over the last six months,PPTVHD26 said today (Jan. 28). The survey on Thailand’s Foreign Border Trade Sentiment Index (FBI) for 2026 conducted by
Read moreThailand to strengthen controls on gold trading to curb baht rise, central bank chief says
By Reuters and published by CNA THAILAND will impose controls on gold trading as it bids to tackle its overvalued baht currency and ease pressures on economic growth, central bank governor Vitai Ratanakorn said on Wednesday (Jan. 28). The baht has gained about 1.5 percent against the dollar so far this year after a
Read moreThai gold traders with at least 10 billion baht in annual transactions must report to central bank
By Reuters and published by CNA THAI gold traders with average annual transactions of at least 10 billion baht ($320.72 million) over the past five years must report their activities to the central bank, according to the official Royal Gazette. They also need to keep transaction records for at least three years, it said
Read moreVendors affected as price of fresh chillis soars
VENDORS are feeling the heat as the price of fresh chilli peppers has soared to record high in many parts of the country reaching 250-350 baht a kilogramme, TV Channel 7 and Amarin TV said last evening (Jan. 13). A news team surveyed prices at a market in Khuan Kalong district, Satun province, and
Read moreThai oil prices not rising in the short term after Trump tariff threat to Iran trading partners
OIL prices in Thailand are not rising in the short term despite US President Donald Trump having on Monday (Jan. 12) announced a 25 percent tariff on any country trading with Iran, amid Tehran’s violent crackdown on a wave of protests, PPTVHD36 said today. Energy Minister Auttapol Rerkpiboon said while this development will affect
Read moreAOT moves to increase flights during high season
THE Airports of Thailand Plc (AOT) has begun offering discounts on service fees and other benefits to airlines that replace flights cancelled in their slots due to schedule changes to encourage faster resumption of flights which in turn increases the number of passengers while reducing revenue loss, Thai Rath newspaper said this morning (Jan.
Read morePhuket landowner tables airport expansion plan
WITH aviation industry projected to grow in 2026 on the back of increased tourism airlines have requested landing more fights here while ordering additional aircraft but key Thai airports are already coping with heavy air traffic volumes with Phuket International Airport being in similar state but there is now an option to enlarge the
Read moreThai consumer confidence falls for the first time in four months in December, survey shows
By Reuters and published by CNA THAILAND’S consumer confidence index fell for the first time in four months in December, according to a university survey on Thursday (Jan. 8). Confidence fell due to the dissolution of parliament and the conflict between Thailand and Cambodia, which could slow the recovery of the economy, the University
Read moreThai economy’s competitiveness is declining, central bank warns
By Reuters and published by CNA THAILAND’S central bank said on Wednesday (Jan. 7) the economy is facing challenges, including a sustained decline in competitiveness, with exports expected to be negatively affected by US tariffs and the persistently overvalued baht. Southeast Asia’s second-largest economy has been struggling with an appreciating currency, US tariffs, high
Read moreCabinet nod for 1-3% headline inflation target for 2026
THE Cabinet today (Dec. 30) approved a monetary policy target setting headline inflation rate of 1-3 percent for 2026 as proposed by Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas, PPTVHD36 said. Mr. Siripong Angkasakulkiat, the Prime Minister’s spokesperson, said the inflation rate in the coming period could be highly uncertain due to global economic growth and energy
Read more2 popular radio stations shutting down at yearend
A BELLWEATHER for a decline in the radio industry is Tero Radio Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of Tero Entertainment Plc, announcing that it is shutting shop at yearend 2025 with this meaning international music station Eazy FM and the Thai pop music station Goodtime Radio will go off air, MNG Online said this afternoon
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