• Foreign investment in 2M25 +68% in number of projects and +33% in value yoy, led by Japan (Bt13.6b), China (Bt5.11b), and SG (Bt4.49b).
• Oil Fund Management Committee approved retail diesel & gasoline price cut by Bt1/ltr ahead of peak holiday travel in Apr, price cut will in 2 tranches at Bt0.50/ltr each to lessen impact on oil traders who have already stocked up inventory, first reduction due on Mar 28 and the second on Apr 4.
• Car manufacturers in TH have decided to delay making some models for export due to US President’s new tariff policy after Trump said on Mar 24 he is preparing to impose an auto tariff soon and push ahead with other levies on Apr 2 which in turn cause TH’s trading partners to reduce purchases of vehicles, FTI and spokesman of Automotive Industry Club.
• Foreign Government plans to help 3m borrowers by taking their bad loans worth Bt123b out of the banking system and clear their poor credit record to enable them to borrow money from banks again.
• Domestic tourism stimulus, We travel together, 50% subsidy for hotels and restaurants participated in the scheme is expected to get cabinet approval by end of month, rolling out during low season from May till Sept, Bangkokbiznews.
• Bad debt soars to all-time high of B1.23tn: Credit bureau says NPLs have consistently increased on a quarterly basis. The National Credit Bureau (NCB) has reported a significant rise in non-performing loans (NPLs), with bad debt reaching a record high of 1.23 trillion baht over the past two years. Bangkok Post
• Exports grow by 14% as momentum continues: Exports surged by 14% year-on-year to US$26.7 billion in February, marking eight consecutive months of growth, according to the Commerce Ministry. Bangkok Post
• Govt mulls buying underperforming NPLs: The government has announced plans to purchase nonperforming loans (NPLs) with outstanding balances below 100,000 baht to alleviate financial burdens on smallscale debtors. Bangkok Post
• Doubts persist over financial hub bid: Though the cabinet endorsed the Financial Hub bill, economists query the motivations behind it. The cabinet approved the Financial Hub bill on Feb 4, marking a significant step in Thailand’s bid to become a regional player in finance. Bangkok Post
• Both TTB and KTB deny reported merger rumours: TMB Thanachart Bank (TTB) has denied rumours of a potential merger with Krungthai Bank (KTB), noting its two largest shareholders are private companies that hold a combined stake greater than that of the government sector.Bangkok Post

Bonus

• Carmakers act to spur flagging sales: Campaigns coincide with Motor Show. Automakers are trying to deal with sluggish domestic car sales by cutting costs and launching new promotional campaigns which are expected to boost bookings at the Bangkok International Motor Show, which opens on March 26. Bangkok Post
• Investment up in 1st 2 months: Foreign investment in the first two months grew 68% in the number of projects and by 33% in terms of value year-on-year. Foreign investment in the first two months of this year saw a 68% increase in the number of projects and a 33% rise in the investment value compared to the same period last year. According to deputy government spokeswoman Sasikarn Watthanachan, the latest report on foreign business investment approvals under the Foreign Business Act (1999) reveals that 181 applications were approved in the first two months of this year, marking a 68% increase compared to the same period last year. Bangkok Post
• Twenty listed firms seen likely to prep share buybacks: Twenty listed companies are likely to initiate
  share buybacks after their stock prices fell below intrinsic value, signalling a positive outlook for longterm investors looking to accumulate Thai shares, said Asia Plus Securities (ASPS). According to the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET), 28 listed companies have already repurchased shares worth over 29 billion baht. Large-cap stocks, including PTT Plc, have already announced share buyback programmes. Bangkok Post
• Bank loans set to edge up 0.6%: K-Research predicts bank loan growth of only 0.6% this year, led by large businesses as retail and SME borrowing contracts. Bank loans are expected to increase marginally by 0.6% to 14.8 trillion baht this year, bouncing back from a contraction last year, driven by large businesses while small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and retail borrowers remain in the red, says Kasikorn Research Center (K-Research). Bangkok Post
• Higher incomes record more debt: Government employees, farmers and private sector employees are the most indebted, primarily because of home and car purchases, according to a 2024 survey conducted by the Trade Policy and Strategy Office (TPSO). Bangkok Post
• Local deposits forecast to expand by 1-3%: The deposits of Thais are expected to grow by 1-3% in 2025 year-on-year, in line with the slow growth of the Thai economy amid uncertainties both domestically and internationally, according to the Deposit Protection Agency (DPA). Bangkok Post
• Thai auto sector frets over planned US tariffs: Car exports are already slumping. The US’s announcement of a 25% tariff on automobiles has triggered fresh concerns over the sluggish Thai
  automotive industry as analysts worry about the short-term impact and long-term export uncertainties.Bangkok Post
• Digital ad spending projected to expand 10%: Thai online ad spending this year is forecast to grow 10% to 35 billion baht, based on a gradual rebound of the local economy and intense competition in the digital sector, according to the Digital Advertising Association (Thailand) or DAAT. Bangkok Post
• The Gold Traders Association has upgraded its international gold price forecast for 2025 to $3,400 an ounce from $3,200.: US tariffs continue to rattle markets. The Gold Traders Association (GTA) has upgraded its international gold price forecast for 2025 to US$3,400 an ounce from $3,200, adding the domestic price could top 50,000 baht per baht-weight in the second quarter. Spot gold rose 0.65% to $3,037.17 an ounce yesterday morning as US auto tariffs ratcheted up global trade tensions ahead of the April 2 deadline for reciprocal tariffs from the world’s largest economy. Bangkok Post