1. Indonesia import ban: Indonesia’s Ministry of Trade has implemented Ministerial Regulation No.47/2025 (effective Jan 1), banning imports of 12 product categories to protect local farmers and industries. According to Thailand’s DITP, key Thai exports affected include sugar, rice, and products in the air-conditioning and refrigeration segments — a negative for selected agro and industrial exporters.
2. Advance & out-of-district voting: The Election Commission said voting proceeded mostly smoothly, though multiple polling stations failed to post candidate introduction documents, with some incorrectly stating disqualifications — mainly affecting People’s Party candidates.
3. Registrations: 8,610 voters registered for advance voting within constituencies; 2.206m registered for out-of-constituency voting.Polling stations: 521 (in-constituency), 524 (out-of-constituency), plus 22 special stations for elderly and disabled voters.
4. Thailand wellness economy: Estimated at ~USD40bn, growing at 28%, roughly four times the global average. To achieve a top-5 global position, Thailand will need to integrate traditional wellness offerings with modern technology and emerging trends to compete with regional leaders such as Japan and India.
5. EV charging subsidy under review: The government is proposing to raise public EV charging fees to as high as THB11/unit to curb unsustainable subsidies. The move risks narrowing the running-cost advantage of EVs versus petrol cars.
6. THB200bn infrastructure fund: SEPO is studying the creation of a THB200bn fund to buy back existing BTS lines (Green and Orange) to support a flat fare of THB20–40/trip, using the Vayupak model to guarantee returns. Study is expected to take ~8 months.
7. Power purchase rules to tighten: Authorities plan to require bank guarantees or collateral from data centre and other high-electricity users to secure PPAs, aiming to prevent underutilised power infrastructure and ensure investor commitment.
8. Banks / SMEs: The Thai cabinet approved a 1-year reduction in commercial banks’ FIDF contribution to support a risk-guarantee program for new SME loans. The FIDF fee will be lowered to 0.32% p.a. from 0.46% for the 2026 contribution period, easing cost pressure on the banking system and potentially supporting SME credit growth.
9. Trade / Tariffs: Despite tariff measures aimed at rebalancing trade, the US trade surplus with key ASEAN manufacturing hubs continued to widen in 2025. Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam saw US trade surpluses expand +45%, +44%, and +28% YoY, respectively. Vietnam recorded a record USD 133.8bn surplus (+28% YoY), while Thailand’s surplus rose to USD 51.3bn from USD 35.6bn in 2024, supported by strong electronics exports.
10. Property: The sector faces a heavy bond maturity wall amid weak demand and elevated leverage. Thai developers are due to repay around THB 140bn in corporate notes in 2026, exceeding issuance in each of the past two years (Thai Condominium Association). Unsold housing inventory in Greater Bangkok widened to the highest level in at least eight years, reaching ~228k units in 1H25, roughly 10x current sales. Listed developers’ net D/E rose to 8.2x in 2025, the highest outside the pandemic peak (Bloomberg).

Grok

Weekly Thai News Digest: Political, Country, and Corporate Updates

This digest compiles recent developments in Thailand’s political landscape, general country news, and corporate/business sectors, drawn from web searches and X ecosystem analysis. Focused on the week leading up to the February 8 snap election, it includes at least 20 key items. Insights from X users and threads, including expert journalists and news outlets, are integrated where relevant. For instance, economic journalist @gorya_ilada highlighted Thailand’s inequality challenges compared to Vietnam’s pro-poor growth model in an opinion piece, noting that Thailand’s trickle-down approach has favored the wealthy, while Vietnam’s reforms integrated redistribution for broader benefits. A prominent X thread from @ThaiEnquirer on February 4 discussed Thailand being dubbed the “Sick Man of Asia” by the Financial Times due to government instability, loss of competitiveness, and high household debt; replies emphasized issues like elite meddling, poor treatment of visitors, and reluctance for reform.

Political News

The political scene is dominated by the upcoming February 8 snap election, a three-way contest between Bhumjaithai, Pheu Thai, and the People’s Party amid economic woes and nationalist sentiments.

1. Thailand’s election pits reformists against conservatives, with no outright winner expected; polls show People’s Party leading at 36%, Pheu Thai at 22.1%, and Bhumjaithai at 18.9%.
2. Key parties: Bhumjaithai (led by PM Anutin Charnvirakul) seeks stability; People’s Party pushes progressive reforms; Pheu Thai faces dynasty questions with Thaksin Shinawatra imprisoned.
3. Snap election called by PM Anutin to preempt no-confidence motion; economic slowdown and nationalism are key voter concerns.
4. Pheu Thai’s slide: Two PMs ousted, coalition splintered; future of Shinawatra dynasty in doubt as party polls third.
5. Leaked audio suggests establishment efforts to block People’s Party and Pheu Thai; conservatives criticize People’s Party leader’s anthem posture.
6. Election Commission faces criticism for advance voting mishaps; calls for resignations and investigations into irregularities.
7. Army rules out coup rumors if People’s Party wins; major rallies planned by Pheu Thai and People’s Party on February 6.
8. Supreme Court removes seven candidates from four parties, including Pheu Thai and People’s Party.
9. Unverified chatter of 1 billion baht fundraising tied to “grey capital” for defending seats.
10. Political deadlock forces foreign policy focus; borderlands and flood-hit South as key battlegrounds.

Country News

General updates include security incidents, cultural events, and infrastructure issues amid election fever.

11. Border tensions rise after Cambodian RPG lands near Thai base; tenuous truce holds post-clashes killing 149.
12. Two injured in Khao San Road bar shooting; suspect at large.
13. Three Thais arrested for hiding 14 Chinese migrants in vehicles in Saraburi.
14. 62-year-old Hong Kong murder suspect (from 1989) arrested in Thailand.
15. Amazing Thailand Chinese New Year 2026 events in Bangkok and Hat Yai to mark 51 years of Thailand-China ties, expected to generate 42 billion baht in tourism revenue.
16. Social Security Office scandal over overpriced land purchase; Treasury valued plots far below cost.
17. Flood-hit South becomes election battleground; nationalist crows and luxury trips in campaign home stretch.
18. New government timeline: MPs certified by April, PM vote in May, full Cabinet by mid-June 2026.

Corporate and Business News

Economic concerns loom large, with debt, stock movements, and sector strategies highlighted.

19. Thailand pushes action plan to exit US IP Watch List, addressing piracy and patent delays.
20. Household debt and economic uncertainty key voter issues; growth projected at 2% for 2026, down from 2.2%.
21. Thai stock market tipped to open lower; ended two-day streak at 1,345 points.
22. Thailand’s economy grows in Q4 on consumption and demand; strong baht impacts 90% of travelers’ decisions.
23. NocNoc platform to shut down by May 2026 due to economic challenges and competition.
24. Sumitomo Mitsui Trust responds to links with Burapa Power Plant; confidentiality limits comments.
25. Thailand’s merger control: Foreign investors must assess competition law thresholds and timelines.
26. Kasikorn forecasts 0.7% bank loan contraction in 2026; third straight year.
27. Gold prices fluctuate 69 times, close down 3,050 baht.
28. Thai Airways shares unlock: 1.9 billion shares tradable; price drops to 7 baht from 17.80 high.
29. Dentons launches Thailand combination with Pisut & Partners, expanding ASEAN footprint.
30. Health Dept shifts sugar standards; Sugar Tax to raise 570 billion baht in 2026.

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