The Bangkok Post
IMF calls for growth through stimulus
The International Monetary Fund has recommended that Thai policymakers implement both fiscal and monetary stimuli in order to boost economic growth and steer inflation back to target. The recommendation was made during a visit to Bangkok for Article IV consultations. “The team recommends monetary policy ...
High-speed trains to accelerate towards bids
Bidding on construction of the Bangkok-Rayong high-speed train is expected to take place this year as part of efforts to jump-start the Eastern Economic Corridor, the government’s flagship project for Thailand 4.0. Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Jatusripitak said the terms of reference for the project will ...
ASEAN members reaffirm 90% tariff cuts under RCEP
ASEAN members are holding to their vow to cut import tariffs on 90% of products, amounting to 5,000-6,000 items under the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, over the next 15 years. They also plan to push for the conclusion of negotiations this year. According to Commerce Minister ...
Struggling with free trade
As Thailand continues to negotiate more free trade agreements, local businesses often struggle to reap the rewards of lower or zero tariffs offered for shipments. The Commerce Ministry reported exporters took advantage of US$52.5 billion worth of FTA preferences and lower tariffs allowed by the Generalised ...
Energy market opens up
Thailand has resumed liberalising its energy sector, opening it up to competition again after a decade of policy hiatus when global oil prices were well over US$100 a barrel. During this period, the costs of electricity and gas for the people were heavily subsidised by ...
Malaysia reports 'highly pathogenic' bird flu
Malaysia has reported an outbreak of a highly contagious H5N1 bird flu virus in the eastern part of the country, the World Organisation for Animal Health said on March 8, citing a report from the Malaysian agriculture ministry. The strain was confirmed among chickens at ...
Songkhla wants visa rules eased
The Songkhla tourism industry has cried foul over the government’s new entry regime that restricts land arrivals from two key source markets, Singapore and Indonesia. The Tourism Council of Songkhla has expressed concerns over the possible drop in arrivals from the two countries, especially during ...
Top private sector group predicts 3.5-4% GDP growth
The Joint Standing Committee on Commerce, Industry and Banking has kept its key economic forecasts unchanged, citing threats of external risks that could impede recovery. Chen Namchaisiri, chairman of the Federation of Thai Industries, who chaired the JSCCIB meeting on March 7, said these factors ...
Farmers flout crop warnings
Farmers in the Central Plains provinces are planting more off-season rice crops than allowed at their own peril, a senior irrigation officer warned. Bowdaeng Takaew, head of the Ayutthaya Irrigation Project, said many farmers in the Central region have refused to cooperate with authorities and ...
Shelters offer hope to the homeless
After living under Rama VIII Bridge for more than eight years, a 54-year-old disabled man grasped the chance for a new start. He walked with crutches to a vehicle that would take him to a state-run shelter where he was promised food, basic necessities and ...
