Economy

US Bangkok broadside to the IMF and the World Bank delivered by Scott Bessent who snubbed the meeting

US Bangkok broadside to the IMF and the World Bank delivered by Scott Bessent who snubbed the meeting

October 16, 2026

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

Washington turns up the heat at Bangkok’s IMF–World Bank meetings. Absent Treasury chief Scott Bessent demands oil and gas funding, nuclear investment, an end to… Read More ›

Friday protests by anti IMF World Bank activists continue after overnight camp event in central Bangkok

Friday protests by anti IMF World Bank activists continue after overnight camp event in central Bangkok

October 16, 2026

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

Bangkok’s IMF–World Bank summit faces angry street protests as police block a march and demonstrators occupy roads overnight. Campaigners attack corporate influence and public debt,… Read More ›

Prime Minister Anutin talks of an economy driven by ‘quality growth’ at the Bangkok IMF World Bank forum

Prime Minister Anutin talks of an economy driven by ‘quality growth’ at the Bangkok IMF World Bank forum

October 15, 2026

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

Anutin promises advanced industries, richer tourists and better jobs at the IMF–World Bank gathering. Outside, protesters clash with police over inequality. Inside, Thailand’s middle-income trap,… Read More ›

Protests at the IMF World Bank meetings turn violent but Bangkok police deny being heavy handed

Protests at the IMF World Bank meetings turn violent but Bangkok police deny being heavy handed

October 15, 2026

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

Violence flares near Bangkok’s IMF and World Bank summit as police clash with protesters trying to hang banners from a bridge. Demonstrators are injured, but… Read More ›

Thai Airways now says baggage failure was five times worse than admitted. Board orders compensation

Thai Airways now says baggage failure was five times worse than admitted. Board orders compensation

October 15, 2026

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

Thai Airways faces a worldwide reckoning after 25,000 bags were stranded and over 200 flights cancelled. Chairman Lavaron Sangsnit orders baggage deliveries through other airlines… Read More ›

Ekniti clings to AI to buoy the Thai economy and even promises a second life for the ‘sick man of Asia’

Ekniti clings to AI to buoy the Thai economy and even promises a second life for the ‘sick man of Asia’

October 14, 2026

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

Ekniti pitches an AI-powered revival at the IMF–World Bank summit as Thailand’s debt crisis bites. Public borrowing nears its ceiling, SMEs struggle for loans and… Read More ›

Tax grab targeted at outbound passengers is opposed by travel industry as ministry pushes a new agenda

Tax grab targeted at outbound passengers is opposed by travel industry as ministry pushes a new agenda

October 13, 2026

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

Tourism revolt in Thailand. Three industry groups oppose a ฿1,000 airport departure tax, warning of higher airfares and weaker demand. Minister Surasak was unaware that… Read More ›

Southern senator warns Thais losing out in Malaysia’s service economy due to an Immigration crackdown

Southern senator warns Thais losing out in Malaysia’s service economy due to an Immigration crackdown

October 13, 2026

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

Malaysia targets undocumented workers in 10,374 immigration operations, arresting 37,313 migrants. Senator Chaiyong says southern Thai families depend on cross-border jobs worth ฿200 billion annually.… Read More ›

Tourist police reach out to Russian Embassy to inform tourists visiting Thailand about laws and customs

Tourist police reach out to Russian Embassy to inform tourists visiting Thailand about laws and customs

October 12, 2026

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

Bangkok turns to Russia’s embassy for help explaining Thai laws to visitors. Tourist Police chief Pongsiam Meekanthong raises safety and employment issues. Nearly 1.9 million… Read More ›

Police chief says Bangkok is ready for World Bank and IMF meetings with over 18,000 delegates visiting

Police chief says Bangkok is ready for World Bank and IMF meetings with over 18,000 delegates visiting

October 12, 2026

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

Police Chief Samran Nuanma declares Bangkok ready for 18,000 IMF and World Bank visitors. Intelligence warns of mass protests, six roads face emergency closures and… Read More ›

Chiang Rai river basin findings ramp up the pressure on Thailand to act over poison flowing from Burma

Chiang Rai river basin findings ramp up the pressure on Thailand to act over poison flowing from Burma

October 11, 2026

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

Arsenic in Chiang Rai farmland raises the stakes for Bangkok. Tests find 20% of sampled soils over limits and another 50% requiring checks. Farmers face… Read More ›

Failing foreign tourism sector at war over tourist levy and exactly who benefits from the billions raised

Failing foreign tourism sector at war over tourist levy and exactly who benefits from the billions raised

October 11, 2026

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

Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister Suphajee Suthumpun wants a ฿450 tourist levy with insurance. THA President Thienprasith Chaiyapatranun questions ฿7bn in medical debts as… Read More ›

PM says he can explain. Denies power over impartial agencies as a no confidence motion is filed in House

PM says he can explain. Denies power over impartial agencies as a no confidence motion is filed in House

October 10, 2026

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

Anutin’s government faces a 145-MP challenge amid exam fraud, Senate collusion, offshore gambling and floods. Three suspects have been freed after the NACC missed a… Read More ›

Commerce Minister says that a November signing of a US Thai trade deal is in sight as exporters stand by

Commerce Minister says that a November signing of a US Thai trade deal is in sight as exporters stand by

October 9, 2026

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

Trump wants a November trade deal with Thailand, but the final agreement remains unfinished. Anutin says talks are nearing completion as Suphajee targets the ASEAN… Read More ›

Thailand struggles economically even with revised World Bank GDP growth for 2026 coming in at 2% for 2026

Thailand struggles economically even with revised World Bank GDP growth for 2026 coming in at 2% for 2026

October 8, 2026

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

The kingdom’s fiscal 2025 accounts expose a ฿898.8 billion deficit as spending surges and tax collections disappoint. The World Bank lifts 2026 growth to just… Read More ›

New taxes simply for going in and out of Thailand in addition to higher airport tax already implemented

New taxes simply for going in and out of Thailand in addition to higher airport tax already implemented

October 8, 2026

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

Thailand plans another hit on air travel with a ฿1,000 departure tax covering foreigners and Thais. Combined with AOT’s new ฿1,120 airport charge and a… Read More ›

New tourist tax of 450 baht a step closer with officials targeting early 2027 after cabinet approval is obtained

New tourist tax of 450 baht a step closer with officials targeting early 2027 after cabinet approval is obtained

October 7, 2026

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

Foreign tourists face a ฿450 Thai entry charge from early 2027 under a plan now heading towards Cabinet. Air arrivals would pay first, with medical… Read More ›

Thai Airways defeats flood crisis but finds itself in a brewing crisis of confidence over its management

Thai Airways defeats flood crisis but finds itself in a brewing crisis of confidence over its management

October 5, 2026

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

Thai Airways clears its baggage crisis, but a bigger boardroom battle erupts over suspended CEO Chai Eamsiri. Industry figures question the move as Chai faces… Read More ›

Vietnam’s economic growth races ahead of Thailand’s putting it on track to overtake its net GDP by 2029

Vietnam’s economic growth races ahead of Thailand’s putting it on track to overtake its net GDP by 2029

October 5, 2026

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

Thailand’s economic lead is under pressure as Vietnam surges 9.95% in Q3 while Thai growth stays below 2%. Vietnam has 31m more people, a younger… Read More ›

America reached out to Thais in Korat last weekend with a county fair show hosted by Ambassador O’ Neill

America reached out to Thais in Korat last weekend with a county fair show hosted by Ambassador O’ Neill

October 5, 2026

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

Freedom, jazz and enterprise take centre stage in Korat as America marks its 250th anniversary. Ambassador Sean O’Neill leads a major US showcase, bringing companies,… Read More ›

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