Wallet scheme to resume in 2nd quarter: The third phase of the 10,000-baht digital wallet handout programme will begin in the second quarter of this year, says Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira. Bangkok Post
Factory closures likely to worsen: K-Research predicts an avalanche of woes for the local manufacturing sector. More Thai factories are expected to shutter this year than in the past two years, according to Kasikorn Research Center (K-Research), citing a weakening manufacturing sector and several ongoing challenges. Bangkok Post
SET seeks to lessen large-cap tilt of indices: Bourse to change calculation formula. The Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) is gathering feedback on a proposed revision of the SET50 and SET100 index calculation methodologies to mitigate the impact of large-cap stocks on the indices. According to the initial proposal of the Capped Weight Index format, the SET plans to limit the weight of any single stock in the SET50, SET100, SET50FF, and SET100FF indices to no more than 10% of the index’s total market capitalisation. Bangkok Post
Residential prices increase in Q4 of 2024: New condos outgain low-rise houses. Residential prices in urban areas and along mass transit lines continued to rise in the fourth quarter of 2024, as soaring land and construction costs pushed up prices for new launches, according to the Real Estate Information Center (REIC). Bangkok Post
Thai hotel room rates grew 15% last year, the only market in the world with a double-digit uptick.: SiteMinder report shows 15% gain in 2024, the only country with double-digit growth. Hotel room rates in Thailand rose last year by an average of 15% from 2023, making it the only country to achieve doubledigit growth, according to SiteMinder, an e-commerce platform that helps hotels sell rooms on their own websites and through third parties. Bangkok Post
Roi Et aiport, not under AOT, is seeking upgrades, including lengthen runway from 2,100m to 2,500m to deal with increasing passenger, last year was 342,970 on 2,114 flights and increasing this year.
Charter bill talks delayed: Pheu Thai no-shows hijack quorum. A joint sitting of MPs and senators deliberating charter amendment bills was yesterday adjourned due to a lack of a quorum with the absence of MPs from the ruling Pheu Thai Party seen as a strategic move to prevent its bill from being rejected. Bangkok Post
Bank: Trump policies rev up export gains: Nations eager to get a jump on tariffs. Thai export growth this year should accelerate because of the policies implemented by US President Donald Trump, according to the chief of the Export-Import Bank of Thailand (Exim Bank). Rak Vorrakitpokatorn, president of Exim Bank, said many countries around the world are accelerating imports to avoid the impact of Trump’s policies. This includes countries in the EU, South Asia and Southeast Asia, which are acquiring goods ahead of Trump’s trade policies as there is great uncertainty about the effect of these policies on US imports in the second and third quarters this year. Bangkok Post
The finance minister mulls amending tax laws for foreign investment, eager to lure Thais to repatriate funds.: The Finance Ministry is considering amending tax laws on income from foreign investments to lure Thais to repatriate funds and lift domestic investment. Bangkok Post
Consumer confidence hits eight-month peak: Public feels steps have improved the economy. Mr Thanavath said the economy has started to recover as consumers perceive that the government’s economic stimulus has bolstered the economy while domestic tourism continues to improve. The Consumer Confidence Index (CCI) hit an eight-month high in January, driven by government economic stimulus efforts, according to a survey conducted by the University of Thai Chamber of Commerce (UTCC). Bangkok Post
