Local bank loans shrink the most in 15 years: The banking industry recorded its highest level of loan contraction in 15 years in 2024, driven by tighter loan approvals amid borrowers’ weaker debt repayment ability, according to an executive at the Bank of Thailand. In 2024, total loans in the banking sector contracted by 0.4% yearon-year, marking a second year of decline following a 0.3% contraction in 2023, according to central bank data. Bangkok Post
Office of Council of State (OCS) has completed its amendment to the Entertainment Complex Bill, and an online public hearing will be held til Mar 1 so that parties can express their concerns before its implementation.
MoF and Transport Ministry to setup a steering committee to drive Government’s Bt20 flat fare policy for BKK’s entire electric train system. Mulls buying train concessions from existing concession holders, and securitizing them to secure funding.
Department preps salt tax roadmap: The Excise Department has laid out a roadmap for the imposition of a salt tax (sodium tax), which would commence with snack foods, which are known to possess little to no nutritional value. Bangkok Post
SET pressured as investors dump DELTA, AOT shares: Investors heavily dumped shares of Delta Electronics (DELTA) and Airports of Thailand (AOT) on concerns over the companies’ specific issues, pressuring the overall Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) as the two firms are big cap stocks of the local bourse, analysts say. Shares of DELTA, the biggest company on the SET in terms of market capitalisation, dipped 25.2% or 28.50 baht to close at 84.50 baht by midday yesterday with trading value as high as 6.16 billion baht. The decrease was mainly caused by the fact that its revenue in last year’s fourth quarter was significantly below the market’s forecast. Bangkok Post
Industry wary as Trump threatens auto tariffs: Remark implies 25% tax on car imports. The Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) is monitoring US President Donald Trump’s plan to slap a 25% tariff on car imports to the US and plans to assess its impact on the sluggish Thai automotive industry. Bangkok Post
Minister cautious over slide of off-season rice prices: Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira has expressed concern that this year’s off-season rice production, expected to exceed 6.5 million tonnes, will face downward price pressure in the global market. Bangkok Post
President Trump’s uncertain tariff vows and a wobbly Chinese market are the main concerns for the Thai tourism industry.: The Thai travel industry is in flux amid concerns over the future price of oil, economic uncertainty, and question marks over how strong the Chinese tourism influx will be this year, Uncertainty over the Chinese market and the effect of US President Donald Trump’s policies are the most critical factors for the tourism industry in the first half, as airlines and hoteliers consider market trends after the high season. Bangkok Post
Real estate to experience uneven recovery in 2025: The hotel and industrial estate sectors are expected to remain robust this year, driven by foreign markets, while the residential and office sectors continue to slow due to weak domestic demand and excess supply, according to property consultancy CBRE Thailand. Bangkok Post
Bonanza likely if booze curbs lifted: Added spending of B50-100bn predicted. Lifting the afternoon alcohol sales ban could stimulate an additional 50-100 billion baht in the economy, particularly from foreign tourists, while a report found “high-quality” tourists are willing to spend US$250 more on premium food and beverage (F&B) options. Bangkok Post
