News

For several years now, commentators – particularly in the business community – have opined that Thailand is in need of a significant infrastructure upgrade such as its mass transportation, road and railways systems. Investment in state infrastructure projects may pay off better for some, depending on the understanding of what rights and forms of redress they may have. The government appears to agree....

Tourists and foreign residents’ personal security, safety, beach tourism sustainability, jet-skis, taxis and tuk-tuks were all highlighted as ongoing issues of concern by five European ambassadors in talks with Phuket Governor Chamroen Tipayapongtada. The high-powered ambassadorial delegation comprised Mark Kent of the UK; Brendan Rogers of Ireland; Philip Calvert of Canada; Karel Hartogh of the...

GUANGZHAO: China and Thailand are reported to have inked a memorandum of understanding on the construction of a canal that would cut through peninsular Thailand, linking the South China Sea with the Andaman Sea. Once completed, the ‘Kra Canal’ would offer an alternative sea link between Asia with the Middle East and Europe, bypassing the Strait of Malacca, a key shipping lane for world trade. The...

As Japan investment is shifting to services, information technology and trading, which require less capital, Chinese investments are targeting heavy industries, thus surpassing Japanese input in Thailand for the first time. Chinese investments in Thailand for the past eight months have surpassed Japanese Investments for the first time in history After the Board of Investment adjusted its foreign direct...

If your retirement dreams include a beautiful climate, new cultural experiences, access to affordable healthcare and a lower cost of living, you may be thinking about retiring abroad. One destination popular with retirees is Thailand, a small country in southern Asia known for its natural beauty, pristine beaches, exotic cuisine, temples and friendly people. According to International Living, a publishing...

Over the past few years, many experts have been warning of a crisis heading our way. More specifically, the concerns have centered on the inevitable collapse of the U.S. dollar. One of these individuals is former Congressman Ron Paul, who has stated that he believes the U.S. financial system is on the road to disaster. In this article, I’ll share some of his views and discuss what could happen if such...

Thailand and Japan agreed on Saturday to develop the Dawei special economic zone in Myanmar and two train lines in Thailand including a high-speed train linking Bangkok and Chiang Mai. The agreement was reached in talks between Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha on the sidelines of the seventh Japan-Mekong Summit meeting. Mr Abe had already pledged in the summit fresh...

2014 started off on a very somber note, with the Thai army seizing power over governance in a coup to right a constitution that had gone horribly wrong. The political turmoil gave rise to an economic slowdown, with the Thai Baht falling and foreign investment reaching an all time low. According to reports, Bangkok and Phuket saw a 32% and 22% rise in room numbers respectively, constituting 54% of a total...

Be a friend of Thailand be an Elite member Since 2003 under “Thailand Privilege Card Company Limited” as its sole shareholder with the registered capital of THB 1 billion, Thailand Elite has become the world’s first country membership package with exclusive benefits for immigration, leisure, business, and much more. Thailand Elite’s main goal of representing a special package exclusively for...

Panupong Kritchanarat, originally from Bangkok, is currently the CEO of Boat Pattana, Phuket and has been working with its management for eight years. He also has several years of experience in real estate management. He holds a Masters of Business Administration from the Sasin Graduate Institute of Business Administration at Chulalongkorn University. Here, he talks about business options in Phuket and...