News
Festive spending at 12-year low
Spending during the festive season is expected to remain below 100 billion baht for a second straight year, hitting a 12-year low as growing concerns over the Covid-19 Omicron variant continue to undermine public sentiment.The University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce (UTCC) revealed its ...
Phusadee Arunmas
Omicron cases 'rising rapidly'
About 16% of Covid-19 infections detected in Thailand so far have been proven to be cases of the Omicron coronavirus variant, according to the latest random sample collected by the Public Health Ministry.Apisamai Srirangson, assistant spokeswoman for the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA), said ...
Bangkok Post Reporter
State spending targets laid out for fiscal 2023
The government is planning a fiscal 2023 budget worth 3.185 trillion baht, with a deficit of 695 billion baht for the fiscal year, which starts next October.According to Chalermphol Pensoot, director of the Budget Bureau, the budget was approved at yesterday’s meeting between Prime Minister ...
Bangkok Post Reporter
Bank of Thailand holds fire on rates, flags Omicron risk
The Bank of Thailand (BoT) left its key interest rate unchanged at a record low for a 13th straight meeting on Wednesday, to support a tourism-reliant economy facing fresh risks from the spread of the Omicron coronavirus variant.The BoT’s Monetary Policy Committee unanimously voted to ...
Cabinet approves new stimulus plan
The cabinet on Tuesday approved another package of measures to boost consumption and support an economy still struggling with the collapse of its vital tourism sector.The measures include a tax deduction of 30,000 baht for shoppers, an extension of the existing co-payment scheme and a ...
Bangkok Post Reporter
Air pollution returns to Bangkok
The annual problem of air pollution has returned to Bangkok, with PM2.5 fine particle dust levels measured above the set safe level of 50 microgrammes per cubic metre at 65 spots at 7am on Wednesday.The highest level of PM2.5, 80 microgrammes per cubic metre, was ...
Bangkok Post Reporter
Pension delay for cabinet scrutiny
The Social Security Office (SSO) will seek cabinet approval for its proposal to have new subscribers receive pension payouts at their retirement age of 60 instead of the present 55 years of age.The office said the change will apply to new subscribers, not those who ...
Penchan Charoensuthipan
Department set to amp up state spending
The Comptroller-General’s Department plans to accelerate state spending in fiscal 2022 to meet spending targets because it is a key tool to drive economic growth, says director-general Kulaya Tantitemit.The department expects to present the state budget disbursement plan for fiscal 2022 for cabinet approval soon.According ...
Wichit Chantanusornsiri
Nov exports top forecast, seen up 15-16% this year
Thailand’s exports rose more than expected in November from a year earlier, helped by stronger global demand and a relatively weak baht, and full-2021 growth could be the highest in more than a decade, the Commerce Ministry said on Monday.Exports, a key driver of the ...
State shipping company to fly 'hub' flag
The government plans to set up a national shipping line company to promote Thailand as a regional logistics hub for maritime trade.Government spokesman Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana said on Sunday that Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha instructed state agencies to study the possibility and cost-effectiveness of setting a ...
Bangkok Post Reporter