TH records 4.6m travelers, both in-out, in Jan, +148% vs monthly average in 2022, Transport Ministry.
Chinese travel companies resume full operations: Chinese travel agencies will today resume outbound group tours to 20 countries including Thailand, following the relaxation of rules governing personal foreign travel at the beginning of the year. Bangkok Post
Baht hits high-value products: High-value industrial products with few imported raw materials such as rubber products, canned and processed seafood, gems and jewellery are expected to be the hardest hit as the baht strengthens, according to the planning unit of the Commerce Ministry. Bangkok Post
Growth in IT spending set to dwarf global rate: IT spending in Thailand is expected to register 4.2% growth in 2023, slightly slower than last year’s level, weighed down by a projected contraction in spending on devices, according to research firm Gartner. However, the country’s growth rate this year is projected to be almost twice the global rate of 2.4%. Bangkok Post
Prayut hails tourism revival: First tour groups arrive from China. Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha is pleased about the recovery of tourism and thanked agencies concerned for their efforts to organise campaigns to attract foreign visitors, government spokesman Anucha Burapachaisri said. Bangkok Post
Spending on Valentine’s Day this year is projected to top Bt2.39b, jumping 57.1% from last year and the 1st increase in 5 years, a UTCC survey.
Domestic tourism stimulus open for individual to register from Feb 27, 560k room/night will be offer, 5 room/night per individual, booking starts from Mar 7 till Apr 26.
Digital lenders target strong growth this year: Digital lending service providers are aiming for strong loan growth and business expansion this year. Line BK, a social banking platform under Kasikornbank, grew total users for its mobile app to 5.3 million and targets extending new loans by 5 billion baht in 2023. Bangkok Post
MP offers May 7 poll date: House ‘could be dissolved mid-March’. The House is expected to be dissolved on March 15 and a general election held on May 7, according to Chinnaworn Boonyakiat, a Democrat Party MP for Nakhon Si Thammarat who also serves as a deputy chief government whip. Bangkok Post
Nestle to buy clean energy from Egat: Nestle (Thai), a consumer goods manufacturer and marketer, plans to focus more on clean energy for its operations, working with the state-run Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (Egat) as its trade and energy partner. Nestle, Egat and Innopower Co, an energy innovation firm, signed an agreement to make full use of renewable power under the second phase of the ERC sandbox, overseen by the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC). Bangkok Post
