Many travellers are being directed to Chinese tour agents instead of local ones, a shady business model diverting cash from Thailand.

As China emerges from its zero-Covid isolation and tour groups flock overseas, businesses in Thailand worry the influx could lead to surging competition from Chinese citizens running restaurants, massage and souvenir shops, particularly in Bangkok’s Chinatown.

Industry players predict influx of Russians in coming months as they escape the conflict in Ukraine, plan long-term stays in Thailand.

Real estate tycoon Srettha Thavisin rumoured to be among prime ministerial candidates opposition Pheu Thai Party will field for next year’s general election.

One Thai durian grower believes Thailand’s exports will decrease because Vietnam is located closer to China and, in her view, has better quality control.

Thousands of Thai workers have been lured to seemingly lucrative jobs in Finland and Sweden over the past decade, only to face inhumane working conditions, advocates say.

Thai-Saudi business fairs and events have risen in numbers and popularity after Thailand’s Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha visited Riyadh in January.

One automotive journalist believes BYD’s launch of the Atto 3 next month in Thailand will transform the image of Chinese car brands in the country.

Scheme aims to attract 1 million wealthy or talented foreigners to Thailand over the next five years to contribute 1 trillion baht to the economy.

Instant noodles are a popular diet for low-income Thais, whose purchasing habits have given economists a look into the health of the economy.

While Prayuth’s suspension, which comes amid a tanking economy and cost-of-living crisis, is unexpected, analysts say it doesn’t automatically herald a democratic dawn.

The deal will further strengthen Sino-Thai relations after the two nations conducted a joint military drill on Sunday.

Thaksin Shinawatra, from his base in Dubai, has raised the redshirt members from their dormancy, calling on supporters to vote strategically next year to give the Pheu Thai Party a landslide win and effectively end Prayuth Chan-ocha’s eight-year tenure.

Meagre incomes don’t leave workers with much at the end of the month, and millions are pushed deeper into debt as they take out new loans to get by.

A growing number of people and sectors in Thailand have found access to cannabis troublesome since it was legalised on June 9. The health minister even issued a special decree days after it went into effect.

Pro-democracy politician Chadchart Sittipunt leads the race of over a dozen candidates, including Prayuth’s handpicked incumbent, in an election dominated by economic concerns and a longrunning city battle with street food vendors.

After years of defending Thailand’s monarchy from criticism, royalist groups have now turned their attention to Russia’s Vladimir Putin and his war in Ukraine.

High-end hotel chains on the southern resort island are gearing up to take advantage of pent-up demand as Thailand further eases entry rules for vaccinated visitors.

Ex-PM Thaksin’s youngest daughter Paetongtarn, who wed in Hong Kong’s Rosewood Hotel in 2019, has made her political debut as Prayuth battles plunging popularity amid an economic crisis.

Volatile gold prices are confounding Asians who want to hedge against inflation but also tide over tough times. Mayhem has ensued in India’s wedding market.

Expatriates have joined together with sympathetic Thais to raise money for supplies and protest Russia’s invasion of their homeland – as they also offer shelter to compatriots whose holidays were ruined by the war.

Chinese shipbuilder’s Yuan Class S26T has three diesel engines by manufacturer MTU. But the German military attaché to Thailand says German engines cannot be used in Chinese military and defence items.

‘Cobra Gold’ has been scaled back again this year due to the pandemic, but analysts say it’s still a useful tool for Washington – as Bangkok increasingly turns to Beijing for arms.

Thailand is having a hard time stumping up the cash for its section of a high-speed railway that’s planned to connect China to the rest of mainland Southeast Asia. But analysts say Bangkok’s still in Beijing’s good books – as a recent submarine deal shows.

For some families in Singapore and Indonesia, fish maw and fried food won’t be on the reunion dinner menu. In Thailand, pork prices have shot up by 80 per cent in six months.

Bilateral relations soured after a Thai cleaner stole US$20 million worth of jewels from a Saudi prince, sparking murder, mystery and diplomatic tension.

With the Laos part of the Kunming to Singapore rail project up and running, Thai traders are struggling to compete as Chinese imports arrive faster and fresher than ever.

Singapore has frozen new ticket sales for flights and buses in its vaccinated travel lane scheme until January 20.

While Thailand is the US’ oldest treaty ally in Asia, ties between both have been rocky since the coup in 2014, after which Bangkok has grown closer to Beijing

From Singapore to Japan, Australia to India, This Week in Asia’s writers have the latest as countries across the region tighten entry requirements for travellers.