Archive

Visiting BYD's Rayong Factory: Witnessing the Production of 100,000 Vehicles The Story Thailand · 4d ago

BYD's Thailand manufacturing complex in Rayong reached a milestone of 100,000 new-energy vehicles produced, with the 100,000th unit being a BYD ATTO 3. The factory integrates multiple production lines (welding facility with 520 robots and 200 production stations producing up to 45 vehicles/hour) alongside vertically-integrated battery manufacturing and automotive wiring harness production. The integrated ecosystem includes a Blade Battery PACK plant (150,000 units annual capacity) and a wiring harness facility (6,500+ units monthly), positioning Thailand as a significant EV manufacturing hub for BYD outside China.

Can Being Late Deduct Annual Leave on an Hourly Basis? A Legal and HR Perspective Prachachat · 4d ago

An HR columnist critiques a company policy that converts hourly tardiness into hourly deductions from annual leave entitlements, arguing this conflates disciplinary matters with statutory leave rights. Under Thai labour law (Section 30), annual leave is an unconditional right that must be scheduled in advance—not a penalty tool. Mixing tardiness with leave deduction risks legal exposure; proper approach should address lateness through graduated discipline (warnings, performance reviews) while safeguarding leave rights. The author warns this policy is a legal landmine if challenged in court.

Thai Identity Wins Global Award: Central Pattana's 11 Local Pride Christmas Trees Strategy Boosts Community Tourism and Local Economy The Standard Wealth · 4d ago

Central Pattana won a 2026 ICSC Global MAXI Award in the Community category—the only Thai company to win in this round—for a nationwide campaign featuring 11 Local Pride Christmas Trees representing different provinces. The campaign drove 1.5 million additional mall visits, 200+ million impressions across omnichannel, and 1,250 billion baht in spending, while positioning 11 locations as cultural landmarks that blend local craftsmanship and tourism. The model demonstrates how leveraging local identity and wisdom through creative storytelling can generate measurable business results and economic impact for both the shopping center operator and host communities.

Muji Pivots Strategy: Expands Thai Products and Rolls Out 1,000 sq.m. Stores Prachachat · 4d ago

Muji Thailand is restructuring its retail strategy by renovating Bangkok stores to a new 1,000 sq.m. standard—triple the previous footprint—to showcase full product categories (apparel, home goods, food) and improve customer experience. The chain is simultaneously scaling up Thai-made food products to 50% of food sales and targeting provincial market awareness (currently 40% vs. 60% in Bangkok) through repositioned store communications focused on brand philosophy rather than price competition. The Central Pinklao flagship store, reopened September 18 at 1,000 sq.m., targets 80% sales growth versus 2025, signaling confidence in the expanded format for both domestic and export channels.

True Strengthens Network Along Chao Phraya River for Royal Barge Procession 2026 The Story Thailand · 4d ago

True Corporation is upgrading 5G, 4G, and WiFi coverage along the Chao Phraya River from Krung Thon Bridge to Wat Arun for the royal barge procession ceremony on November 6, 2026. The company deployed engineering teams to survey signal quality at viewing points and key transit hubs, using historical behavioral data and drills to optimize network capacity for dense image, video, and live-streaming usage. True's approach includes enhancing base station capacity, deploying mobile cell sites (COW) and temporary towers in congested areas, expanding WiFi coverage, and using AI to monitor and manage network load 24/7 via its BNIC operations center.

Major Oil and Retail Players Eye 2 Billion Baht Rest Area Development at Bang Prong Prachachat · 4d ago

Thailand's expressway authority (กทพ.) is launching a 2-billion-baht PPP project to develop a major rest area and commercial hub on 60 rai at Bang Prong (Km 17+300 of the Kanchanaphisek expressway). The 32-year concession will include fuel stations, truck/vehicle parking, convenience shops, restaurants, a budget hotel, and a rescue center. Bidding is planned for 2027 with service launch in 2030. Major oil firms (PTT, Bangchak) and retail operators have expressed interest. The large footprint and rising traffic trends support investment viability.

Government Savings Bank Opens Registration for "QR Maha Haeng x Nok Krasip" SME Loan from September 24 Prachachat · 4d ago

Government Savings Bank (GSB) launches a new microbusiness lending program combining QR-payment data with AI analysis from "Nok Krasip" to help SMEs and street vendors access credit up to 50,000 baht at 0.75% monthly interest without collateral. Registration opens September 24 through October 31, 2026, targeting small traders using the "Thaichuay Thai Plus" digital payment app who lack traditional financial documentation. This policy initiative aims to expand financial inclusion and build credit history for underserved entrepreneurs.

Buy Now Pay Later: A Double-Edged Coin for Thailand The Story Thailand · 4d ago

Thailand's household debt surged to 13.6 trillion baht across 98.7 million accounts, with BNPL adoption jumping from 6.2% to 14.2% year-on-year. While easy-access credit addresses consumption needs, the article argues that the rapid growth of BNPL—powered by technology, data, and e-commerce—requires balanced regulation of both credit instruments and consumer behaviour to prevent debt spirals among over-leveraged households.

Watch for Fiscal Plan Adjustments: Will VAT Be Raised to Improve the Country's Economic Position? Prachachat · 4d ago

Thailand faces mounting fiscal pressure with public debt nearing 70% of GDP and only 3–4% fiscal space remaining. Government economists highlight a critical need to expand the revenue base, with VAT at 7% (unchanged since 1999) cited as a key lever. Raising VAT by 1% could generate ~100 billion baht annually versus smaller gains from alternative levies (EV tax, tourism fees). A broader tax base and simplified, tech-enabled collection systems are proposed to boost compliance and revenue, though trade-offs and implementation timing remain contentious.

SCB Enters Heritage Wealth Market with "Infinity Legacy" Insurance, Targets 2.8 Billion Baht in Sales Prachachat · 4d ago

SCB launched "Infinity Legacy," a life insurance product designed for wealth succession planning, offering coverage up to age 120 and accepting policyholders aged 60–90—a market first in Thailand's private banking segment. The move addresses Thailand's aging demographic and rising demand among Gen X/Y for structured wealth transfer. SCB targets 2.8 billion baht in sales, positioning insurance as a core tool alongside deposits and investments for multi-generational wealth planning.

Nearly 93% of organizations implementing AI struggle to scale results effectively. This article examines five concrete case studies from major Thai enterprises (Big C, 7-Eleven, Thai Oil, PTT OR, Sansiri) showcasing real-world AI applications addressing actual business problems. Valuable for SMEs seeking practical lessons on AI deployment and scaling beyond pilot phases.

Klook CEO on scaling through shocks, not building what's 'cool' Tech in Asia · 4d ago

Klook CEO discusses strategic approach to navigating business challenges and scaling priorities, emphasizing pragmatic growth over trend-chasing. While the article content is inaccessible due to JavaScript requirements, the headline suggests insights on operational resilience and product strategy during market volatility—relevant for Southeast Asian tech entrepreneurs and SMEs scaling through uncertain conditions.

DSI Charges 'Pom-Film' and 34 Others in Forex Fraud Case with Losses in the Billions Prachachat · 4d ago

Thailand's Department of Special Investigation (DSI) has filed charges against prominent politician Phawuth Pongwittayapanu (Pom) and actor Ratphumi Tokongthap (Film), along with 32 others, in a large-scale unauthorized forex trading scheme involving 34 defendants (10 legal entities, 24 individuals). The case involves fraud allegations, unlicensed securities brokerage, money laundering, and computer fraud, with reported losses in the billions of baht. Both defendants appeared at DSI headquarters and claimed innocence, asserting they provided evidence and acted within normal trading activities.

BEM stock sees major block trade of 200 million shares worth 1.3 billion baht at 6.50 baht per share Prachachat · 4d ago

BEM (Bangkok Mass Transit System) executed 8 large block trades totaling 200 million shares worth ~1.3 billion baht at an average price of 6.50 baht per share this morning, with the largest single block representing 110 million shares (715 million baht). While the buyer/seller identities remain undisclosed, the transaction occurred on the regulated big lot board and represents significant institutional trading activity in a major Thai infrastructure stock, though current trading shows the stock at 6.75 baht.

Farmers Association Opposes Plant Variety Protection Law Amendment, Demands New Compensation at 2,000 Baht per Rai Prachachat · 4d ago

Thailand's Farmers Association opposes amendments to the Plant Variety Protection Act (1999), citing concerns over farmers' seed-saving rights and genetic sovereignty. The association demands clarity on how the law change will impact farmers' ability to retain and replant seeds, and is pushing for immediate government approval of a new relief package: 2,000 baht per rai (max 20 rai per farmer). Core issues include high production costs (6,000–6,500 baht/rai), delayed payouts on existing 1,000-baht-per-rai aid affecting 230,000 households, and inadequate state seed supply (farmers need ~1–1.2M tonnes annually). Long-term solution: stable paddy prices (8,000–8,500 baht/tonne) rather than aid dependency.

GCash owner Mynt lines up BlackRock, others for up to $1.3B IPO Tech in Asia · 4d ago

Mynt, the Philippine fintech unicorn behind GCash, is preparing an IPO with backing from major investors including BlackRock, targeting up to $1.3 billion in capital. This signals significant growth ambitions for Southeast Asia's largest mobile money platform and demonstrates investor confidence in the fintech sector's expansion across the region.

Parliament Approves Four Capital Market Law Amendments, Expanding SEC Investigation Powers for Serious Cases Prachachat · 4d ago

Thailand's parliament has approved four capital market law amendments aimed at modernizing the regulatory framework to align with digital technologies and evolving market conditions. Key reforms include promoting digital capital markets, strengthening oversight of securities and derivatives businesses, improving secondary market regulations, enhancing capital raising mechanisms, and critically—expanding the SEC's investigation authority for serious violations affecting market confidence and the economy. The bills now move to parliamentary committees for detailed review before final ratification.

AnyMind to add Alibaba Qwen to Asia live commerce Tech in Asia · 4d ago

AnyMind is integrating Alibaba Qwen AI into its live commerce platform to enhance creator livestream campaigns across Asia. This partnership combines AnyMind's creator ecosystem with Qwen's large language model capabilities, enabling SMEs and content creators to streamline live shopping experiences and improve engagement through AI-powered tools.

Nene Royal wins America's Got Talent 2026 Bangkok Post · 4d ago

Thai teenage guitarist Nene Royal, 16, from Phuket has won America's Got Talent 2026, performing 'Seven Nation Army' in the finale and sharing the stage with Linkin Park. The self-taught musician rose from busking at a local weekend market to becoming a global sensation with 1.5M views on her audition, and has been named a Thai government tourism ambassador. Her story highlights local talent development and Thailand's cultural soft power on the international stage.

Eastern Longans Face Major Challenge in 2025/26: China Tightens Import Controls and Depresses Orchard-Gate Prices Prachachat · 4d ago

Eastern Thailand's longan sector faces mounting export pressures in 2025/26 as China enforces stricter sulfur dioxide residue limits (50 ppm) under GB 2760-2024 standards. Production is forecast at 443,420 tonnes (down 4.83%), but the real issue is compliance: in 2024, 65 of 129 packing facilities were warned and 162 containers were rejected. Orchard-gate prices have collapsed from 35 baht/kg to 20–25 baht/kg, while some contractors locked in forward contracts at 32–35 baht/kg and now face losses. Recommended actions include inter-agency coordination to tighten sulfur controls, real-time monitoring systems, stricter DOA (packing facility) registration limits, and direct negotiations with China to test flesh rather than skin.