For a number of years Thailand has been dealing with the issue of foreigners entering hospital and being unable to pay their bills for treatment. Young uninsured travellers will often suffer mishaps, while some older people who seek treatment have come to Thailand to retire and possess limited savings and no health insurance. National insurance from European countries and US Medicare generally do not…
Thailand’s oil and gas industry has been providing a steady if somewhat limited stream of new hydrocarbons deposits for decades, helping to offset the country’s growing demand for fossil fuels. The industry has remained largely stable over the years by striking a balance between government regulation and private sector incentives which have proven successful in maintaining a consistent pipeline…
Up to this point, Thailand’s strategy of providing affordable energy to the country primarily by exploiting domestic natural gas supplies – supplemented by foreign imports – has been successful in meeting growing domestic demand while maintaining tariff rates competitive enough to remain attractive for industrial customers. Yet as domestic oil and gas reserves decline and the costs of importing…
When spiking oil prices and global pressure to address climate change led to a widespread shift in the energy industry towards a greater contribution from renewable energy (RE) in the early 2000s, Thailand largely bucked this trend, preferring instead to double down on traditional fuel sources. Alternative energy sources contribute only a very small fraction of the country’s electricity needs; at…
Over the past 50 years Thailand has nurtured its automobile industry into a stalwart pillar of its industrial base as the country has established itself as the premier automotive hub within the South-east Asian region and beyond. A snapshot of automobile assemblers operating in the country reveals a line up fit for any international auto show replete with many of the top-selling global brands. Ford,…
Lost in the competitive shuffle of modern manufacturing industries peddling all manner of contemporary wares from hard drives to canned tuna, one of civilisation’s oldest professions continues to thrive in Thailand – the gems and jewellery trade. Thailand has centuries of experience in the industry under its belt and has cultivated an extensive network of artisans and a strong manufacturing base…
Thailand’s continued economic success, relatively young and increasingly affluent population, well developed urban infrastructure and its status as a popular tourist destination have all coalesced to make the country a premier market for luxury goods on par with other regional commercial centres such as Hong Kong or Singapore. Yet Thailand, and specifically Bangkok, also maintains a unique advantage…
The country’s mass transit capabilities have grown by leaps and bounds over the past decade as the rollout of a network of road and rail projects has eased the gridlock in Bangkok. The increasingly broad reach and efficiency of the operating rail system has not only proven effective in easing travel for residents and visitors to the city and its outlying areas, but has also opened up a host of new…
E-commerce in Thailand is growing rapidly and is set to become a main driver of internet development. To a great extent, 4G is responsible for the transformation, as it will be bringing faster connectivity to a large, nationwide pool of consumers. Estimates place e-commerce spending growth over the next five years at 18.2%. The subsector is already quite large. The Electronic Transaction Development…
In late 2015 two 4G auctions were held in Thailand and three companies, Advanced Info Service (AIS), True and newcomer Jasmine International, were awarded spectrum. With $6.4bn in bids, and an additional player being added to the market, the exercise was seen as a great success. The government will receive a considerable influx of funds, while consumers will benefit from lower prices and more innovative…
