THE STANDARD Global Edition

The Ministry of Finance is considering an ‘excise tax reduction’ for operators that plan to set up auto production bases in Thailand, using raw materials or parts manufactured domestically. This differs from previous excise tax plans because it would apply to both existing and new manufacturers and cover makers of internal combustion engine (ICE) v...

On 26 August 2026, parliament approved the government’s THB 400 billion baht emergency loan decree, thereby putting in motion the mega plan to reform Thailand’s energy landscape, clean energy investment, power grid infrastructure and to support those affected by the current crisis through shorter-term measures.    Key Point  ...

Data centers have dominated the discourse in Thailand over the past year, becoming a symbol of technological advancement and innovation and evidence that Thailand is capturing a valuable component of the AI value chain.   Key Point   Regulation is catching up Quantifying the Economic Value of Data Centers A Questio...

Thailand’s economy grew by 1.9% in 2Q26, a significant slowdown from 1Q26’s expansion of 2.8%, according to reports by the National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC). This is the weakest growth in three consecutive quarters, and there is an underlying story here.   Key Point   Thailand’s 2Q Tells an Uneven ...

The Artificial Intelligence race between the United States and China continues to intensify, with the technology increasingly being used as the defining tool of great super power and a symbol of each country’s economic and technological advancement.   Key Point   Zooming Out The Key Takeaway     For...

Two recent shooting incidents in Nonthaburi province, merely days apart, have thrust Thailand’s long problematic gun control issue back into the spotlight. On August 7 2026, a shooting occurred inside Debsirin Nonthaburi School, sending shockwaves and devastation across all facets of Thai society. The shooter was a secondary school student, and the...

As Thailand pushes ahead with its roadmap toward a greener and more sustainable future, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Ekniti Nitithanprapas has announced plans to transition the country from combustion-engine vehicles to electric vehicles. This move will be considered the first phase of transition towards EV adoption for Thailand, w...

Myanmar’s junta chief-turned-President Min Aung Hlaing’s official visit to Thailand on August 6-7 marked a notable shift in Bangkok’s approach to Naypyidaw. As Myanmar’s military leadership seeks wider diplomatic acceptance following a controversial election and years of strained regional relations, the visit carried significance well beyond bilate...

Last week, The Bank of Thailand reported on Thailand’s Q2 2026 economic performance, highlighting the slower growth rate which was a combined result of energy price volatility and reduced tourism numbers, both macro impacts of the ongoing uncertainty in the Middle East.   Foreign tourist arrivals and related services also declined. Private...

When Chinese capital coincides with US Trade barriers, Thailand has to navigate through its neutrality. The real stakes isn’t merely about choosing between the superpowers, but whether Thailand has the ability to remain neutral.    Key Point   Behind China’s 70 Billion Baht Commitment When Chinese Capital Coincides...