Trade spats worry Thai gems and jewellery industry
Rising tariffs and stricter rules are driving the industry towards higher standards, writes Boonsong LipimasMr Surinthorn, centre left, Mr Sumed, centre right, and Mr Suriyon, right, share their views on the gems and jewellery industry. Escalating trade conflicts between major economies are reshaping global supply chains, creating both challenges and opportunities for the Thai gem and jewellery sector, according to the Department of International Trade Promotion (DITP). The department's export promotion strategy now emphasises building supply chain resilience, particularly in the gem and jewellery market, said Mr Surinthorn. Suriyon Sriorathaikul, chairman of the Gem and Jewelry Industry Club under the Federation of Thai Industries, said many recent trade measures, particularly tariff hikes, are aimed at addressing transshipment. "A powerful platform helping to drive the sector is the Bangkok Gems and Jewelry Fair, which has played a significant role in driving industry growth.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 05, 2026 03:01 UTC
MTS Gold bullish on long-term price trend
Listen to this articleDomestic gold prices could rise to 88,800 baht per baht-weight, eventually testing 100,000 baht, says MTS Gold. (Photo: Somchai Poomlard)MTS Gold Mae Thongsuk, one of Thailand's largest gold dealers, has maintained a bullish outlook for gold over the medium and long term. In highly volatile markets, leverage beyond two times significantly increases the risk of forced liquidation," said Kritcharat Hirunyasiri, chairman of MTS Gold. Spot gold prices surged above $5,000, reaching $5,080 by late yesterday morning, while domestic gold prices climbed past 75,000 baht per baht-weight. Following emergency consultations, the Gold Traders Association concluded that widening the price adjustment band was necessary to reflect abnormal market conditions.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 05, 2026 01:35 UTC
Thai Kao Mai Party pledges social security reform
Thai Kao Mai Party pledges social security reformThai Kao Mai (TKM) Party leader Suchatvee Suwansawat, centre, speaks to reporters during his election campaign in Don Muang area, Bangkok, on Wednesday. (Photo: Thai Kao Mai Party)The Thai Kao Mai (TKM) Party has set its sights on reforming the social security system and welcomed the Election Commission (EC)’s scrutiny of party policies, party leader Suchatvee Suwansawat has said. “Thai Kao Mai is a party of professionals. Our policies are designed by experts, backed by data, and achievable," Mr Suchatvee, a former Democrat Party member, said. Mr Suchatvee concluded by asking voters to support TKM so the party can serve the people with practical, effective policies.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 05, 2026 00:37 UTC
School bus safety ignored
School bus safety ignoredListen to this articleIn January alone, there were eight school bus accidents, the Thailand Consumer Council says -- a prominent civic group campaigning for school bus safety. Is traffic safety -- or the safety of school buses -- included in party manifestos? Despite Thailand's notoriously high road death toll, public road safety rarely features prominently in election platforms. The Thailand Consumer Council says there are around six school bus accidents every month. Because school transport is managed by individual schools rather than treated as public transport, minivans and even songthaew are commonly contracted to serve as school buses.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 05, 2026 00:06 UTC
In an uncertain world, gold is a comfort
In an uncertain world, gold is a comfortListen to this articlePeople queue outside Hua Seng Heng's Yaowarat Road branch on Jan 29 as gold hit another new high hovering above 81,000 baht per one baht of gold bullion before gradually sliding down to around 75,000 baht per unit as of Wednesday. Under the gold standard, the money supply is tied to a country's gold reserves, as people can exchange paper currency for physical gold. Under a strict gold standard, world economic growth would therefore be constrained to the same rate. Let me return to the title: "In a world of uncertainty, gold provides comfort." There is therefore a strong possibility that gold prices may rise further in the short term, as global uncertainties persist.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 05, 2026 00:06 UTC
Himalayan dam, regional stakes
Himalayan dam, regional stakesListen to this articleSituated on the Yarlung Tsangpo River (Brahmaputra), China's latest Himalayan mega project promises enough electricity to power hundreds of millions, yet its effects could ripple far beyond Tibet, shaping water security, agriculture, and climate resilience across South and Southeast Asia. The Yarlung Tsangpo -- as this gigantic dam project is named -- comprises five cascade dams along a steep Himalayan gorge at the river's dramatic 'Great Bend.' China's pursuit of the Yarlung Tsangpo project reflects converging economic, energy, and technological priorities. The Yarlung Tsangpo could help the country achieve carbon neutrality by 2060. The Yarlung Tsangpo hydropower project embodies China's attempt to combine economic growth, low-carbon transition, and technological advancement with strategic positioning along a sensitive frontier.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 05, 2026 00:06 UTC
Trump's biggest energy bet is in AI, not Venezuela
Pax Silica, by contrast, reflects a growing recognition that energy dominance is no longer just about extracting hydrocarbons but also about converting energy and raw materials into computational power. Unlike the unilateralist Donroe Doctrine, Pax Silica functions as a buyers' club: it spreads risk, builds capacity, and links countries through comparative advantage. Instead, Pax Silica rests on the premise that competing with state-led economies requires active coordination across borders and industries. The US and its partners must demonstrate that Pax Silica is backed by real investment, not merely parallel domestic initiatives. Building an AI supply chain is futile if state-subsidised competitors can flood the market and drive new entrants into insolvency.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 05, 2026 00:05 UTC
Mall Group seeks measures to spur consumer spending
The Mall Group Co Ltd views fresh government stimulus measures, improved baht exchange rates and tourism as key drivers in reviving consumer spending this year. She urged the new government to prioritise policies that stimulate consumption, alongside measures to manage the strong baht and support tourism. Ms Voralak said two key drivers could help revive the local retail sector this year: fresh consumer spending stimulus from the new administration, and improvements in currency and tourism dynamics. "Thailand's strong baht and fluctuating tourist arrivals have weighed on spending momentum," she said. For 2026, The Mall Group's growth strategy focuses on three priorities: driving spending, intensifying promotions and organising highly targeted events.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 04, 2026 23:37 UTC
Poll day will 'go smoothly'
On Wednesday, the EC assured voters that Sunday's general election will proceed smoothly and will not repeat problems encountered during advance voting on Feb 1. (Photo: Nutthawat Wichieanbut)The Election Commission (EC) assured voters that Sunday's general election will proceed smoothly and will not repeat problems encountered during advance voting on Feb 1. The EC's pledge came after the commission faced criticism for mishandling advance voting last Sunday. EC secretary-general Sawaeng Boonmee said on Wednesday that voting on election day is fundamentally different from advance voting, both in scale and logistics, and the same problems will not occur. While advance voting saw voters from about 400 constituencies gathering at designated locations, election day voting will take place across roughly 100,000 polling units nationwide, he said.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 04, 2026 23:30 UTC
Hungary forges links with 2 MoUs
It aims to strengthen cooperation between two countries in the field of scholarship, Mr Szijjártó told the Bangkok Post. The second MoU was the Cooperation Agreement in the economic training between the Thailand Chamber of Commerce University and Hungary University. Mr Szijjártó said Hungary offers the most attractive investment environment in Europe. Hungary offers the lowest tax rates in Europe. Mr Szijjártó said the country has a flat tax rate of 15% of personal income while the corporate tax rate is 9%, the only single-digit corporate tax rate in Europe.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 04, 2026 23:30 UTC
Pheu Thai kindles 'sparks of hope'
(Photo: Pheu Thai Party)The Pheu Thai Party has unveiled its three prime ministerial candidates, with Yodchanan Wongsawat -- widely known as "Ajarn Chain" -- named as the party's top choice and first in line to assume the premiership should Pheu Thai win the upcoming general election. His political involvement with Pheu Thai spans several years. He has served as a lecturer and thought leader in the party's Pheu Thai Young Professionals Programme (YPP) and previously ran as a Pheu Thai candidate for Chiang Mai's Constituency 3 in the 2014 election, which he won before the poll was later annulled. On Jan 23, Mr Yodchanan delivered a keynote vision speech at Pheu Thai's second major rally, titled "Overhauling the Thai Economy -- Pheu Thai Can Do It," in Bangkok. Long-term goalsLooking ahead, Mr Sueksit said a Pheu Thai government under Mr Yodchanan would aim to build a high-income economy, starting with restoring dignity and stability to citizens' lives.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 04, 2026 23:05 UTC
Democrats rule out early talks
Democrats rule out early talksListen to this articleDemocrat Party leader and prime ministerial candidate Abhisit Vejjajiva smiles during a campaign visit to Saengthip Market in Bangkok's Watthana district on Wednesday. On the Election Commission's decision to disqualify 28 election candidates for failing to meet qualifications, he said such rulings were normal under the law and should not affect the overall election. If a disqualification involves failure to vote in previous elections, Democrat candidates must provide an explanation, he said. He said no talks had yet been held with leaders of other political parties about forming a coalition, as all sides were focused on campaigning. However, he said the Democrats had come under repeated attacks in the South from Piphat Ratchakitprakarn of the Bhumjaithai Party.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 04, 2026 23:03 UTC
Thai-Saudi ties deepen at Davos
Thai-Saudi ties deepen at DavosListen to this articleMr Ekniti, right, talks with Mr Falih at the summit in Switzerland. Thailand is pushing investment cooperation with Saudi Arabia, opening up new opportunities in the automotive, healthcare and financial sectors. According to caretaker finance minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas, who led Thailand's delegation to the World Economic Forum (WEF) summit in Davos, Switzerland from Jan 19-22, the trip advanced investment cooperation between Thailand and Saudi Arabia. Sanden Intercool (Thailand) Plc is building a factory in Saudi Arabia to produce commercial freezers and beverage coolers. Saudi Arabia also encouraged Thai parts manufacturers to establish production bases and develop automotive clusters in key areas of that nation.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 04, 2026 22:59 UTC
Parties told to put economy before political bargaining
Parties told to put economy before political bargainingListen to this articlePosters of election candidates are littered along a Bangkok sidewalk, urging people to cast ballots for them on Feb 8. (Photo: Pattarapong Chatpattarasill)The Joint Standing Committee on Commerce, Industry and Banking (JSCCIB) has called on political parties to prioritise economic expertise over political bargaining as they scramble to form a new government following the general election. The group warned that relying on traditional quota-based appointments could put the country at risk amid mounting global economic uncertainty. The JSCCIB believes appointing capable professionals could restore confidence in the economy and attract investment, helping Thailand to overcome its slowdown. Poj Aramwattananont, chairman of the Thai Chamber of Commerce, said delays in forming a government could harm the economy by slowing budget disbursement.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 04, 2026 22:57 UTC
KKR, Singtel seal deal for STT GDC
The deal marks one of the largest digital infrastructure transactions in Southeast Asia. Upon completion, KKR and Singtel will own stakes of 75% and 25% respectively in STT GDC, taking into account the conversion of existing redeemable preference shares that both KKR and Singtel hold in STT GDC. Budsarin Pradityont, country head of STT GDC (Thailand) Co, said there is no change in management or the direction of local operations. STT GDC is well-positioned within this landscape, with a diversified footprint, strong development pipeline and a leadership team with a clear vision for global scale, he said. Arthur Lang, group chief financial officer of Singtel, said the acquisition is a significant step towards scaling SingTel's new growth engine in digital infrastructure.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 04, 2026 22:57 UTC