Q3 rebound eyed from relief boost Thai GDP in the first and second quarters of 2020 faces a sharp year-on-year decline due to the global economic slowdown, widespread drought and coronavirus impact. But prospects are expected to improve in the third quarter onwards, boosted by the 1-trillion-baht plan for cash handouts to virus-hit people and…
Tourism sector prepares to resume business Businesses that have been battered by the Covid-19 outbreak, especially those in the Eastern Economic Corridor (straddling Chonburi, Rayong, and Chachoengsao provinces) that rely mainly on tourism, are in desperate need of support. But the vice chairman of the Thai Chamber of Commerce says it’s still too early to predict when…
Social distancing pandas fill empty seats at Bangkok restaurant An “X” usually marks the seats in restaurants and other establishments to make sure people are social distancing to prevent spread of the coronavirus. Sometimes the “X” on the empty is marked with red tape, unintentionally sending a negative message. Now one Vietnamese restaurant in Bangkok…
SACICT to expand handicraft market on e-commerce BANGKOK(NNT) – As running a business will be different from what it was before the coranavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, the SUPPORT Arts and Crafts International Center of Thailand (SACICT) plans to restructure and modernize its handicraft organization, while helping communities adapt to the digital economy and use e-commerce…
Malls head list of venues due to reopen at end of week The government’s Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration on Monday (May 11) revealed the draft list of venues and activities allowed to reopen or restart under the second phase of lockdown easing, which is expected to take place on Sunday, May 17. The list…
Bangkok Governor extends Chatuchak Market opening hours BANGKOK(NNT)-The Bangkok Governor today issued an order to extend Chatuchak Market opening hours to support shopkeepers and customers, with a further hour of shopping time. The market is now open from 5 a.m. to 7 p.m. Customers and shopkeepers are asked to maintain appropriate personal distance and follow…
JSCCIB expects Thai economy to contract by 3-5% this year BANGKOK(NNT) – Due to the impacts of COVID -19, the meeting of the Joint Standing Committee on Commerce, Industry and Banking (JSCCIB) expects the Thai economy to contract 3-5 percent in 2020, which is less than the International Monetary Fund (IMF)’s prediction of between 6…
Business winners and losers, and the lumpy recovery As we slowly start to emerge from enforced lockdowns, how have things changed? There have been early ‘winners and losers’ but the profound changes to our lives will now start to morph into lingering economic hardships and unpredictable business outcomes. Different countries are going to restart their…
How bad is COVID-19’s impact on Asian developing economies? Developing countries may not have the same deep and liquid bond markets that rich countries have, and they often have to issue bonds in foreign currencies, especially if bond issuance exceeds the ability of local bond buyers to absorb the new debt. In its April World Economic…