An opening letter from Ken Nakarin Wanakijpaibul
On a recent trip to Singapore, someone struck up a conversation with me about Bangkok. They noticed more is happening here and wanted to know more about the city and the people building businesses in Thailand.
It got me thinking about where we might go next.
Key Point
The thing is, I’ve been hearing more questions like this. Over the nine years I’ve spent building THE STANDARD and reporting on Thailand, I’ve seen a shift in how others see us. Thailand may always be known for its food scene, hospitality, and sandy beaches, but it’s gone beyond that now. More and more, people want to know more about Thai brands and companies, artists, and ultimately, our place in a fast-shifting world.
We’re entering an extremely productive quarter in Bangkok. The city hosted Gastech in September, and this month it will host the IMF and World Bank Annual Meetings for the first time since 1991. CNN’s Global Perspectives event and the Financial Times and Nikkei’s Business of Luxury Summit will also take place this month. The Global Wellness Summit will take place in Phuket in November, followed by Tomorrowland’s first full-scale Asian festival in Pattaya this December.
Suddenly, Thailand finds itself at the center of the global conversation.
It’s not just the events; creative minds are driving this dialogue too. Nene Royal, a young musician from Phuket, rose from obscurity to homes around the world after winning America’s Got Talent.
The world is changing fast. For decades, Thailand has been an important agricultural producer, manufacturing base, and top travel destination, but we now find ourselves amid another wave of change. From advanced electronics, semiconductors, AI, wellness, to creative industries and sustainable tourism, these avenues are all possible but require real, meaningful work. As geopolitics reshapes their business direction, global companies are rethinking their strategies and where to invest, and Thailand wants to be part of the next global wave.
The World Bank identified five industries that could drive Thailand’s next growth phase in a recently published report. It also outlined the work required to reach high-income status: upskilling, stronger productivity, more competitive ventures, and cities that can fuel this growth. These ambitions are difficult and will certainly demand more from Thailand than a conference or investment announcement.
This is what drives THE STANDARD Global. When all the attention fades, what will remain?
It’s not just about the buzzy headlines and the sweeping announcements. It’s the details that keep conversations and interest going. When an investor announces a new manufacturing facility in Thailand, how do Thai workers fit into the value chain? When a global event lands in Bangkok, do relationships last beyond the week? And when a city promises to become a global destination, what does that mean for its people and their livelihoods?
These details should matter to companies and to people looking to Thailand. They also matter greatly to Thais.
People who are looking to Thailand need more than an overview or a travel guide. It’s important to understand how Thailand works, how subtle context connects the dots, and how it drives macro decisions. Thailand is complex, and we need to communicate clearly what we aim to build. We also have to be honest about what must change at home, from the education system to regulations, corruption, and how opportunity is shared.
That is why we are launching THE STANDARD Global.
For nine years, our journalists have reported on Thailand for Thai readers. They have followed stories, gone into communities, and tracked businesses for the local audience. Now we want to bring all of that to a global audience, in English.
We will cover the economy, businesses, policy, and culture. We’ll track a story from its ambitions through to what actually happens, and we will tell local stories through a global point of view. Our promise is to deliver sharp insights, allowing you to understand Thailand from the inside.
As the world pays more attention to Thailand, it’s more important than ever to make sense of the big shifts and how the pieces fit together.
Thank you for joining us. We look forward to building this community with you.
Ken Nakarin WanakijpaibulCEO and Editor-in-Chief, THE STANDARD
