Articles by: Joseph O' Connor

Political storm brewing as the country’s leading parties struggle to reform the 2017 Constitution

Political storm brewing as the country’s leading parties struggle to reform the 2017 Constitution

October 3, 2024

Living, Politics, Thailand:

Tensions rise in Thailand as political forces clash over reform of the 2017 constitution, with conservative power rising and activist threats pushing the government to… Read More ›

Business debt in Thailand is now nearly as high as household debt as manufacturing faces contraction

Business debt in Thailand is now nearly as high as household debt as manufacturing faces contraction

October 1, 2024

Economy, Living, Thailand:

Thailand’s economy faces a crisis as business debt soars to 87.6% of GDP, nearing household debt levels, while manufacturing contracts. Struggling firms brace for the… Read More ›

Prime Minister Paetongtarn is the people’s favourite for the top job according to latest NIDA poll

Prime Minister Paetongtarn is the people’s favourite for the top job according to latest NIDA poll

September 29, 2024

Living, Politics, Thailand:

Paetongtarn Shinawatra tops the latest NIDA political poll as Thailand’s most popular leader following a challenging political week, as she prepares for her first foreign… Read More ›

Finance Minister to meet Bank of Thailand boss. Seeks a revised inflation and interest rate policy for growth

Finance Minister to meet Bank of Thailand boss. Seeks a revised inflation and interest rate policy for growth

September 29, 2024

Economy, Living, Politics, Thailand:

Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira is set to meet with Bank of Thailand Governor Sethaput Suthiwatanaruput to discuss inflation and interest rates. As the baht appreciates,… Read More ›

Markets rally on reports China’s politburo may move to reflate its troubled economy with stimulus

Markets rally on reports China’s politburo may move to reflate its troubled economy with stimulus

September 27, 2024

Economy, Foreigners, Living, More News from Thailand, Thailand:

China’s plans to reflate its economy lift global markets, sparking rallies in Chinese stocks and boosting the Thai baht. However, analysts warn that without clearer… Read More ›

Strong money inflows drive baht upwards. Business leaders warn it is time for urgent central bank action

Strong money inflows drive baht upwards. Business leaders warn it is time for urgent central bank action

September 27, 2024

Economy, Living, Personal, Politics, Thai World, Thailand:

Thai baht rockets 12.5% against USD as foreign inflows surge. Business leaders urge central bank action to protect exports, tourism, and the economy from losses… Read More ›

Government is already divided as the PM shelves efforts at amending the 2017 Constitution on ethics

Government is already divided as the PM shelves efforts at amending the 2017 Constitution on ethics

September 25, 2024

Foreigners, Living, More News from Thailand, Politics, Thailand:

In a tense press conference, Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra revealed her government’s rift over constitutional amendments. She deftly pivoted and spoke of prioritising flood relief… Read More ›

Finance Minister wants to raise Thailand’s level of inflation. Proposes talks with Bank of Thailand

Finance Minister wants to raise Thailand’s level of inflation. Proposes talks with Bank of Thailand

September 23, 2024

Economy, Foreigners, More News from Thailand, Thailand:

Finance Minister Pichai proposes raising Thailand’s inflation rate in talks with the central bank, warning that prolonged low inflation could risk a systemic economic crisis.… Read More ›

US Federal Reserve rate cut piles pressure on Bank of Thailand and its governor who is holding firm

US Federal Reserve rate cut piles pressure on Bank of Thailand and its governor who is holding firm

September 21, 2024

Economy, Foreigners, Living, More News from Thailand, Thailand:

Governor Sethaput Suthiwartnarueput warns against hasty interest rate cuts. The central bank boss emphasises financial stability over government demands. It comes amid rising tensions. Mr… Read More ›

New 6-country tourist visa planned by the Foreign Ministry as well as Electronic Travel Authorisation

New 6-country tourist visa planned by the Foreign Ministry as well as Electronic Travel Authorisation

September 20, 2024

Economy, Foreigners, Living, Media, More News from Thailand, Politics, Thailand:

Thailand is working on a new 6-country tourist visa plan covering Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Vietnam, and Malaysia, plus a new Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) system.… Read More ›

New Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system coming soon with a ฿300 tourist levy and insurance

New Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system coming soon with a ฿300 tourist levy and insurance

September 19, 2024

Economy, Living, Media, Personal, Politics, Thai World, Thailand:

Thailand launches a new tourist entry portal with ฿300 levy and automatic insurance planned. ETA system is coming soon to boost security and streamline the… Read More ›

Bank of Thailand boss: current economic thinking only benefits the large Thai business concerns

Bank of Thailand boss: current economic thinking only benefits the large Thai business concerns

September 18, 2024

Economy, Living, Personal, Politics, Thai World, Thailand:

Bank of Thailand boss clashes with the government, saying current economic policies only benefit big businesses while household debt soars. He warns against GDP obsession… Read More ›

Commerce Minister Pichai tears into the Bank of Thailand as the baht strengthens against the US dollar

Commerce Minister Pichai tears into the Bank of Thailand as the baht strengthens against the US dollar

September 17, 2024

Economy, Foreigners, More News from Thailand, Politics, Thailand:

Commerce Minister Blasts Bank of Thailand: Strong Baht is killing Exporters. Minister Pichai demands interest rate cuts to rescue the economy from a credit crunch… Read More ›

EV sector crisis as Chinese firms are trapped between lack of demand and government tax penalties

EV sector crisis as Chinese firms are trapped between lack of demand and government tax penalties

September 16, 2024

Economy, Living, Personal, Thai World, Thailand:

Thai EV crisis: Chinese firms struggle with overproduction and government tax penalties threat amid falling global demand. With rising household debt and regulatory hurdles, manufacturers… Read More ›

Pheu Thai wins Phitsanulok by-election. Another defeat for the People’s Party amid public anxiety

Pheu Thai wins Phitsanulok by-election. Another defeat for the People’s Party amid public anxiety

September 15, 2024

Foreigners, Living, More News from Thailand, Politics, Thailand:

Pheu Thai wins Phitsanulok by-election as People’s Party faces another defeat. Public anxiety rises over government stability, as a new poll shows widespread concerns about… Read More ›

End of the road proposed for Thailand’s ‘Happy go-Lucky’ Economy in Paetongtarn’s Policy Statement

End of the road proposed for Thailand’s ‘Happy go-Lucky’ Economy in Paetongtarn’s Policy Statement

September 12, 2024

Economy, Living, Personal, Thai World, Thailand:

End of Thailand’s ‘happy-go-lucky’ economy? Paetongtarn’s radical plan aims to end the grey market with sweeping tax reform, debt relief, and financial education. SMEs, foreignersm,… Read More ›

Heated TV debate between Trump and Harris on Tuesday night. YouGov polls showed Harris may have edged it

Heated TV debate between Trump and Harris on Tuesday night. YouGov polls showed Harris may have edged it

September 11, 2024

Foreigners, Living, Media, More News from Thailand, Politics, Thailand:

In a heated Philadelphia debate, Kamala Harris edged out Donald Trump, according to a YouGov poll. Harris led with 47% to Trump’s 43%, in polling… Read More ›

Paetongtarn’s heart signal already lands government in hot water. Unstable coalition appears doomed

Paetongtarn’s heart signal already lands government in hot water. Unstable coalition appears doomed

September 10, 2024

Culture, Living, Media, Personal, Politics, Thai World, Thailand:

Thailand’s youngest PM, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, is already under fire. Just days into her tenure, a petition challenges her leadership over a ‘mini-heart’ gesture. With a… Read More ›

Weak consumer demand in China. Call by former central bank boss Yi to fight a severe deflationary spiral

Weak consumer demand in China. Call by former central bank boss Yi to fight a severe deflationary spiral

September 9, 2024

Economy, Foreigners, Living, More News from Thailand, Thailand:

China’s economy is at risk. Ex-central bank chief warns of deflation spiral amid weak consumer demand and faltering property market. Calls for urgent action as… Read More ›

Revenue Department preparing legislation as new Expat tax regime may link visas and tax returns

Revenue Department preparing legislation as new Expat tax regime may link visas and tax returns

September 8, 2024

Economy, Living, Personal, Politics, Thai World, Thailand:

Thailand’s Revenue Department drafts global tax legislation. It may link visa issuance to tax returns soon. Expats staying over 180 days must file by March… Read More ›