8.3 million Thai workers will lose employment or income in 2020 says World Bank The World Bank says that as much as 8.3 million workers in Thailand could lose jobs or income from the coronavirus pandemic, bringing the number of economically insecure people to 9.7 million Thailand’s economy is expected to be impacted severely by…
Thailand’s hotel industry pushing ahead with recovery Optimism is building in some corners of the hospitality industry as Thailand pushes ahead with it Covid-19 recovery phases. Occupancy rates in at least Bangkok and Phuket are likely to bottom out soon with the lifting of travel restrictions, according to JLL Hotels & Hospitality Group. Thailand’s hotel…
Thailand’s competitiveness ranking dips Thailand has fallen four places to 29th in IMD’s world competitiveness rankings for 2020, weighed down by a decline in rankings for economic performance and government efficiency. Conducted by the Institute for Management Development, the survey analysed global economies and their ability to generate prosperity. All 63 countries were gauged in…
Poll shows flea markets, supermarkets, most popular with Thais as lockdown easing continues “46% of Thais want the Songkran holidays moved to the (western) New Year period.” A new poll shows that most Thais are anxious to return to markets and supermarkets first, as the country continues to relax the restrictions imposed during the Covid-19…
Economist predicts economy will shrink 8.9% this year, despite easing of restrictions A leading economist is predicting the Thai economy will contract by 8.9% this year despite the easing of Covid-19 restrictions, far higher than previous estimates from local and international economic pundits. Amonthep Chawla, head of the research office at CIMB Thai Bank says that although…
Thai government to postpone tax increase on cheap cigarettes The Joint Standing Committee on Commerce, Industry and Banking is proposing that foreign businesspeople be allowed back into Thailand. The president of the Thai Chamber of Commerce says this can be allowed if the government enacts strict measures to contain the spread of Covid-19, including ensuring every…
Thai Airways petitions overseas creditors not to confiscate its aircraft Thailand’s beloved but beleaguered national carrier is appealing to creditors in Switzerland, Japan and Germany not to seize its aircraft, while a similar request is being prepared for US creditors. If each country’s court approves the petition, Thai Airways assets will be protected against seizure…
Huge Nike flagship store opens in Bangkok’s Siam Center A massive Nike flagship store is now open in Bangkok’s Siam Center, with a ‘footprint’ spanning more than 836 square metres of prime retail space in the capital. Intended to showcase Nike’s innovation across multiple product categories, the store offers the brand’s first “Nike By You”…
Thailand passes record Bt1.9-trillion stimulus package The Thai Parliament approved three key emergency decrees providing Bt1.9-trillion aid package to businesses and people hit by the Covid-19 fallout Thailand’s parliament approved a 1.9 trillion baht (US$59.7 billion) stimulus package, the kingdom’s biggest-ever cash injection, as Southeast Asia’s second-biggest economy is expected to contract by 6 to…
Central buys Family Mart Thailand Shopping centre operator Central Retail Corporation has bought 100% of Family Mart, one of Thailand’s major convenience store chains, as it “moves forward to develop a new business model to cater to modern consumers”. CRC’s chief executive officer says the acquisition will strengthen Central’s hold on the food market and…