News
Drought killing next year's sugar crop
The El Nino weather phenomenon has played havoc with crops across Southeast Asia and beyond. Thailand, the world’s second-largest sugar exporter, will ship 20% less of the sweetener to international markets this year than last, and farmers fear the damage already inflicted on young cane ...
Wissanu confirms election to take place in 2017
The first general election in two years will definitely take place next year regardless of the referendum’s outcome although it may not be in July as planned earlier, according to Thailand’s Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam. Keep reading ...
ADB see China slowdown hitting Thailand through 2017
Softer growth prospects for China and a weak recovery in major industrial economies are expected to suppress economic growth in developing Asia and cut Thailand’s growth by half a percentage point, according to an Asian Development Bank report released March 30. Keep reading ...
Central bank to relax rules, diversify risks
The Thai central bank will relax rules governing investment in products linked to foreign exchanges and transferring money internationally via mobile phones at the end of this month. Keep reading ...
Charoen Pokphand group stung by 'bald mountain' accusations
Embattled Charoen Pokphand (CP) Group will launch a social enterprise in Nan province to encourage farmers to grow cash crops other than maize, as a long-term solution to the problems created by deforestation, which has resulted in khao hua lone, or bald mountains. Suphachai Chearavanont, vice-chairman of ...
Unusual items bump February exports up 10.3%
Thai exports grew in February for the first time in 14 months, thanks to two unusual items — helicopters and an eight-fold increase from a month earlier in gold shipments. In February, customs-cleared exports rose 10.27% from a year earlier, the Commerce Ministry said on Friday. ...
Thailand to go it alone on Thai-Sino high-speed rail
Thailand has decided to wholly invest in the Thai-Sino railway project after it failed to agree in talks with China on the terms of the arrangement which has set back progress for months. Keep reading ...
Forest wildfires ring Mae Hong Son township
Forest fires were still burning high on mountains ringing Thailand’s provincial capital Mae Hong Son on 22 March, with firefighters struggling to reach hot spots in very difficult terrain. Keep reading ...
Leaders of Mekong nations urged to consider environment at summit
Chinese Premier Li Keqiang will chair the meeting in Sanya on 23 March, which will also involve the leaders of Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam. They will discuss the formulation of initiatives and measures under the Lancang-Mekong Cooperation. At Wednesday’s meeting the discussion will focus on a ...
Thai hotels on drought alert
Hoteliers in major tourist destinations are preparing measures to deal with the serious drought this summer. Members of the Thai Hotels Association are running water-saving campaigns after being warned that this year’s drought will be the worst in a decade. Keep reading ...
