Rice exports beat 2025 goal on strong year-end demandListen to this articleRice exports tallied 7.9 million tonnes in 2025, surpassing the initial goal of 7.5 million tonnes, says the Department of Foreign Trade (DFT). Arada Fuangtong, director-general of the DFT, said rice exports were valued at 148 billion baht, or US$4.52 billion. White rice exports, accounting for 45.8% of total exports, fell by 39.9% to 3.62 million tonnes, while fragrant rice declined by 6.35% to 590,000 tonnes. Other varieties recorded growth, with Thai hom mali reaching 1.76 million tonnes, a 0.57% year-on-year increase, while parboiled rice rose by 18% to 1.51 million tonnes, glutinous rice increased by 10% to 330,000 tonnes and unpolished rice saw a 200% surge to 90,000 tonnes. The DFT set a rice export target of 7 million tonnes this year.

Oil pipeline rules reformed in bid to increase transportListen to this articleA section of an oil pipeline operated by Electricity Generating's subsidiary, TPN. The Department of Energy Business (DOEB) is preparing measures to promote oil transport via pipelines by removing legal barriers to the development of oil separation facilities. Current regulations require oil separation plants to be located strictly within industrial zones and away from residential areas. Oil separation plants are essential to pipeline operations, as different types of oil transported through the same pipes often mix, creating "interfaced fuel". While small amounts of interfaced fuel are manageable, it now accounts for 10-15% of total oil transported via pipelines, according to Mr Sarawut.

Industrial confidence falls in DecemberListen to this articleSix civilians were injured and two houses damaged in December 2025 after BM-21 rockets launched by the Cambodian military struck residential areas in Si Sa Ket's Kantharalak district. Border trade in Si Sa Ket was disrupted by the conflict. Border trade was also not good, he added. The prolonged Thai-Cambodian territorial conflict has completely stopped border trade in Ubon Ratchathani, Surin, Buri Ram, Si Sa Ket, Chanthaburi and Trat provinces. In contrast, issues such as government policy (40.3%), access to credit (25.3%) and loan interest rates (17.1%) drew less alarm.

Office mulls higher small project cap of B10bnListen to this articleThe State Enterprise Policy Office (Sepo) is considering amendments to the public-private partnership (PPP) law to redefine small-scale projects, potentially raising the investment threshold from 5 billion baht to up to 10 billion in a move aimed at accelerating public investment. The PPP Act was first enacted in 1992, when PPP projects valued at a maximum of 1 billion baht were considered small. In addition to revising a definition, Sepo plans to amend procedures to speed up PPP project approvals. Each year, the PPP Committee approves projects worth around 60 billion baht. Sepo also monitors and oversees PPP projects approved by the committee to ensure investments proceed according to the planned timeline.

Land & Houses projects housing slump amid economic stagnationListen to this articleSET-listed developer Land & Houses (LH) plans to launch only two residential projects worth a combined 3.66 billion baht in 2026, the lowest level in more than two decades, due to a sluggish economy and unpredictable housing market conditions. Notably, one of the two planned projects, Nantawan Prestige Ratchapruek-Prannok, valued at 2.22 billion baht, was a carryover postponed from 2025. Mr Achawin said LH has 69 projects in its portfolio with a combined value of about 80 billion baht, comprising low-rise projects worth around 70 billion baht and condo projects worth 11 billion baht. No new hotel projects are planned for 2027, while a 3.6-billion-baht hotel development in Bangkok's Chinatown area is scheduled for launch in 2028. LH aims to have 9.9 billion baht from recurring income properties, 15 billion baht in presales of residential units, and 17 billion baht in residential transfers by the end of 2026.

BUILD INFRASTRUCTUREYod Chinsupakul, chief executive of Line Man Wongnai, said several political parties believe Thailand should emphasise digital sovereignty. — Yod Chinsupakul, Chief executive, Line Man WongnaiHowever, the government should not build or operate its own digital platforms, said Mr Yod. "The government should focus on building the infrastructure, setting clear rules, and unlocking legal obstacles that hinder Thai companies from competing with foreign tech giants," he said. INCENTIVE FOR E-COMMERCEKulthirath Pakawachkrilers, president of the Thai E-Commerce Association, said the Pheu Thai Party's ambition to build a national e-commerce platform raises serious concerns based on past experience. The People's Party proposal to promote an open digital commerce network is more pragmatic and market-oriented, Ms Kulthirath said.

Shaping Thailand's tourism futureListen to this articleTourists arrive for an hour-long visit to Maya Bay beach at the Phi Phi Island National Park on Feb 26, 2023. Thailand's tourism industry has long thrived on its core strengths: genuine hospitality, generosity, and cultural attractions. Tourism Value MatrixA simple framework -- a tourism value matrix -- helps us segment travellers and understand the value they generate. It is about sharpening investment decisions, prioritising targeted segments, and improving policies and action plans to create an enduring value chain for Thailand's tourism industry. Which high-value segments align with Thailand's tourism resources and strengths?

35 parties plan meet to discuss charter referendumListen to this articleRepresentatives from 35 political parties will present their views and stances on the looming constitutional referendum next Tuesday, according to the Election Commission (EC). Party representatives will report at 9am followed by a draw to determine the speaking order. The EC said 35 parties had registered to take part in expressing views on the upcoming national referendum, following an invitation issued between Jan 17-19 via an Open Chat Line group. The process to select party representatives will take place on Friday at 10am via a Zoom meeting hosted by the EC at its headquarters. Parties will be divided into two main groups -- supporters and opponents -- each tasked with selecting five representatives, except for the three parties with alternative views, the EC said.

DES minister told to name politicians linked to scamsListen to this articleThe Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP) on Wednesday urged Digital Economy and Society (DES) Minister Chaichanok Chidchob to disclose the names of all politicians allegedly linked to scam networks and online gambling operations. PPRP deputy spokesman Pol Lt Gen Piya Tawichai said the issue was drawing strong public attention, and so the DES minister should reveal their names to meet public demand and keep these individuals out of the political sphere. Pol Lt Gen Piya also called on the DES minister to clarify details surrounding a controversial memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed in March 2024 between the DES Ministry and a Singapore-based company with alleged links to controversial foreign businessman Benjamin Mauerberger, also known as "Ben Smith". Pol Lt Gen Piya raised a series of questions including whether the MoU involved online sports gambling or "Sport Rating Online Gaming" and whether such activities would violate the anti-gambling law. He said the names could not yet be disclosed until the review of evidence is completed.

Israeli arrested at pot farmListen to this articleAn Israeli national has been arrested in Krabi after authorities raided a cannabis farm accused of operating through Thai nominees and breaching multiple laws. The operation was carried out Wednesday morning at Cannazon Farm in Mueang district, after more than two months of investigation, said Pol Maj Gen Sukkasem Nakonvilai, commander of Krabi Provincial Police. The search team was led by Krabi Governor Angkura Siladhewakul and accompanied by ML Bhuthong Thongyai, deputy director-general of the Department of Business Development. At the scene, Mr Moshe (surname withheld), the Israeli national identified as the business owner, was stopped as he attempted to leave the premises. Pol Maj Gen Sukkasem said the suspect used Thai nominees to obtain licences, prompting authorities to suspend Cannazon Farm's licence for 60 days pending permanent revocation.

The arrested Thai nationals acted as mule bank account holders and received benefits from fraudulent schemes, Pol Lt Gen Natthasak Chaowanasai, head of the Central Investigation Bureau, said at a briefing on Wednesday. Investigators also identified a Malaysian suspect, Lee Yong Hann Jovan, who served as the cash courier transporting money out of Thailand, Pol Lt Gen Natthasak said. The woman was told not to hang up on the call with the gang and not to inform any bank staff, Pol Lt Col Natthasak said. The group was also found to be linked with four other scam cases and to have worked for other scam gangs, with total losses exceeding 30 million baht, Pol Lt Gen Natthasak added. They were taken into custody at the Muang Pathum Thani police station for legal proceedings, Pol Lt Col Natthasak said.

Netizens speculated the post must have referred to Mr Chaichana, whose nickname is Tan, prompting widespread criticism during the election campaign period ahead of the February election. But there has been no verified link to Mr Chaichana so far, they said. Satit Wongnongtaey, another deputy leader of the Democrat Party, said the checks had found nothing to back up the claims made online. He also said the content of an earlier speech by Democrat Party leader and prime ministerial candidate Abhisit Vejjajiva remained firmly in place, adding it would not protect any members found guilty of wrongdoing. Meanwhile, police in Nakhon Si Thammarat denied reports that officers were preparing to search the home of a Democrat Party deputy leader on Wednesday, dismissing them as completely groundless.

"If the problems are not addressed seriously and promptly, the consequences could extend beyond the capital market and threaten the long-term sustainability of Thailand's economic system," he said. The SET ranked among the world's worst performers in 2025, when only six stock markets globally posted negative returns. They require a strong and functioning capital market as a primary source of funding." While the Thai stock market still has hope, he said it was unlikely to recover on its own without strong and credible government support. The other recommendation is reviving liquidity, starting with domestic investors, as liquidity has declined due to foreign selling and capital outflows.

The ruling is linked to unlawful possession of land within Khao Soi Dao Wildlife Sanctuary in Chanthaburi. According to an NACC inquiry, in 2014, Lt Col Thanaphat purchased the three plots located in Soi Dao district from previous occupants. The land is situated within the wildlife sanctuary designated under Revolutionary Council Announcement No.200 on Aug 26, 1972. The commission found that after he was elected an MP on March 24, 2019, Lt Col Thanaphat continued to occupy and exploit the land. At the time, Lt Col Thanaphat was serving as an MP and was a member of a House committee studying land issues and land title issuance.

ReutersThe baht is likely to appreciate further after it broke 31 to the US dollar to touch its highest level in nearly five years on Wednesday, as gold prices edged towards a once-unthinkable target of US$5,000 per ounce, say currency and gold traders. Locally prices soared by as much as 1,050 baht per baht-weight despite the baht's appreciation in early morning trade, sending gold bar to trade at 71,600 baht by midday following more than 20 price adjustments. Jitti Tangsithpakdi, president of the Gold Traders Association, anticipates domestic prices could reach 75,000 baht. Investors, wary of a broader economic or even military escalation, have responded by aggressively reallocating capital into gold. Central bank demand remains a powerful structural driver as China and Russia continue to accelerate gold purchases as part of long-term de-dollarisation strategies, said Ms Tipa.