Thailand plans to inject $15 bln into economy
Thailand's Ministry of Finance aims to inject over THB500 billion ($15 billion) into the economy to boost the country's GDP growth by over 1.8%, focusing on stimulating consumption, investment, and providing soft loans.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Pichai Chunhavajira. Photo courtesy of www.nationthailand.com.
This comes after the International Monetary Fund (IMF) revised Thailand’s 2025 GDP growth forecast downward from 2.9% to 1.8%, citing the impact of US reciprocal tariffs.
Thailand remains the only ASEAN country whose GDP projection has been cut to below 2%. For 2026, the IMF anticipates a further decline to 1.6%.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Pichai Chunhavajira said that he views the IMF forecast as a preliminary assessment. He acknowledged that U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariff policies may have some impacts, but affirmed that the government is closely monitoring developments and stands ready to implement stimulus measures to cushion the GDP slowdown and sustain growth at prior levels.
He added that the source of funding remains under review, with several options being considered. Consultations are ongoing with key agencies, including the National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC) and the Bank of Thailand.
Meanwhile, the Finance Ministry's Permanent Secretary Lavaron Sangsnit affirmed that Thailand’s fiscal position remains robust.
He emphasized that the 500-billion-THB stimulus package must be deployed strategically, noting that stimulating domestic consumption could deliver swift economic gains. Investment, he added, is equally vital to support structural economic reform.
Lavaron said that the final decision on the funding source has yet to be made. Options include budget reallocation, utilisation of the remaining THB 150 billion from previous stimulus efforts, and mobilising funds from state financial institutions for lending purposes.
Details of the proposed projects should become clearer by next month, pending further global economic developments.
- Read More
Agriculture ministry proposes police probe into allegations C.P. Vietnam sold 'diseased pork'
The Ministry of Agriculture and Environment on Wednesday asked the Ministry of Public Security to investigate social media allegations that C.P. Vietnam, a subsidiary of Thailand’s food giant Charoen Pokphand Foods Public Company Limited (CPF), sold “diseased pork.”
Companies - Thu, June 5, 2025 | 8:32 am GMT+7
Vietnam a strategic manufacturing hub in Asia amid global supply chain reshuffle: exec
Vietnam has emerged as a strategic manufacturing hub in Asia amid the substantial restructuring of global supply chains, said Dhamcharee Varaporn, managing director of RX Tradex Thailand & Vietnam, a leading exhibition organizer.
Companies - Thu, June 5, 2025 | 8:00 am GMT+7
Vietnam's major developer Tan Hoang Minh wants to make Da Lat 'Asia’s most livable town'
Do Anh Dung, chairman of Tan Hoang Minh, on Tuesday proposed that authorities of Lam Dong province support the property developer in planning a 4,320-hectare smart urban area project in the resort town of Da Lat.
Real Estate - Wed, June 4, 2025 | 10:36 pm GMT+7
Vietnam’s economic landscape 'positive' amid global headwinds: Prime Minister
Vietnam’s socio-economic situation has been trending positively, with stable macroeconomic conditions, inflation under control, and major economic balances well maintained, says Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh.
Economy - Wed, June 4, 2025 | 5:23 pm GMT+7
Unleashing the quantum power in banking
While quantum computing remains in its early stages, its potential to reshape the financial landscape is undeniable. Institutions that act now, by investing in research, forming strategic partnerships, and deploying pilot use cases, will be at the forefront of this transformation, writes Phillip Wright, COO at HSBC Vietnam.
Consulting - Wed, June 4, 2025 | 3:59 pm GMT+7
How Jardine Matheson expands footprint in Vietnam
From a quiet financial investment in 2008, Jardine Matheson, a diversified, Asia-focused investment company based in Bermuda, has steadily expanded its influence in Vietnam, one of Southeast Asia’s fastest-growing economies.
Companies - Wed, June 4, 2025 | 2:57 pm GMT+7
Vietnam, Japan see 'strong collaboration prospects in developing green, eco-friendly products'
Vietnam and Japan have vast potential for cooperation in the development of green and environmentally friendly products, said general secretary of the ASEAN-Japan Center (AJC) Kunihiko Hirabayashi.
Economy - Wed, June 4, 2025 | 12:16 pm GMT+7
Quynh Lap LNG-fired power project in central Vietnam seeks in-principle approval
The $2.15 billion Quynh Lap LNG-fired power project, located in Nghe An province, is drawing significant interest from both international and domestic investors.
Energy - Wed, June 4, 2025 | 9:28 am GMT+7
Indonesia's coal exports dip on weak demand
Indonesia's coal exports dropped 6.43% to 160 million tons during January-April, according to the Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry.
Southeast Asia - Wed, June 4, 2025 | 8:48 am GMT+7
Vietnam's benchmark VN-Index may reach 1,500 points: analyst
The current valuation of the Vietnamese stock market is quite attractive, and the VN-Index may return to its historical peak of 1,500 points by the end of this year, says Phan Dung Khanh, director of investment advisory at Maybank Investment Bank.
Finance - Wed, June 4, 2025 | 8:38 am GMT+7
Vietnam's agro-forestry-fishery export tops $28 billion in 5 months
Vietnam shipped $6.28 billion worth of agro-forestry-fishery products abroad in May, propelling the cumulative total for the first five months of the year to $28.04 billion, a year-on-year increase of 19.6% and 15.1%, respectively.
Companies - Wed, June 4, 2025 | 8:08 am GMT+7
Brewing change: Carlsberg Vietnam walks the talk on World Environment Day
On a bright morning in Phuoc Tinh commune, Long Dat district, Ba Ria-Vung Tau province, about 200 volunteers from Carlsberg Vietnam, including employees, senior leaders, and their families, rolled up their sleeves for a meaningful coastal clean-up.
Companies - Wed, June 4, 2025 | 8:00 am GMT+7
Vietnam plans to spend over $2 bln on US agri imports
Vietnam’s Ministry of Agriculture and Environment is expected to sign MoUs to purchase over $2 billion worth of U.S. agricultural, forestry, and fishery products.
Economy - Tue, June 3, 2025 | 10:01 pm GMT+7
New flight route to help Danang attract more wealthy tourists from Middle East
The new Dubai-Danang flight route has been launched, paving the way for an influx of high-spending travelers from the Middle East and Europe to the central Vietnam city, one of the country's top tourist attractions.
Companies - Tue, June 3, 2025 | 9:13 pm GMT+7
Food giant C.P. Vietnam’s 'diseased' pigs improperly quarantine-stamped: authorities
The widely circulated images of diseased pigs from C.P. Vietnam, a subsidiary of Thailand’s food giant Charoen Pokphand Foods Public Company Limited (CPF), date back to 2022, but the pigs were improperly stamped, Vietnamese authorities stated on Tuesday.
Companies - Tue, June 3, 2025 | 5:36 pm GMT+7
Son Hai Group proposes expanding 263km stretch of Vietnam's North-South Expressway
Vietnam’s Son Hai Group is seeking Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh's approval to invest in the expansion of a 263-kilometer stretch of the eastern section of the North-South Expressway.
Infrastructure - Tue, June 3, 2025 | 3:53 pm GMT+7
