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- Heavy Traffic Congestion Across Bangkok
Bangkok’s traffic congestion has long been one of the defining characteristics of the Thai capital, evolving over decades alongside the city’s rapid urban growth and economic expansion. In earlier decades, Bangkok was widely known as the “Venice of the East,” with canals serving as the primary transportation routes for residents and businesses. Boats moved people […]
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Bangkok’s traffic congestion has long been one of the defining characteristics of the Thai capital, evolving over decades alongside the city’s rapid urban growth and economic expansion.
In earlier decades, Bangkok was widely known as the “Venice of the East,” with canals serving as the primary transportation routes for residents and businesses. Boats moved people and goods efficiently through the city’s waterways, reducing dependence on roads. However, as Bangkok modernised throughout the 1960s and 1970s, many canals were filled in to make way for expanding road networks and urban development.
The city’s rapid economic boom during the 1980s and 1990s brought a sharp increase in private vehicle ownership. New office towers, shopping centres, industrial zones, and residential developments transformed Bangkok into a major regional business hub. However, infrastructure development struggled to keep pace with the growing population and rising number of vehicles on the roads.
By the 1990s, Bangkok had gained international attention for having some of the world’s worst traffic congestion. Commuters regularly spent hours travelling short distances, particularly during rush hours on major routes such as Sukhumvit Road, Sathorn, Rama IV, Phetchaburi, and Vibhavadi Rangsit. The situation also contributed to increasing air pollution and economic losses caused by delays and fuel consumption.
In response, Thailand invested heavily in public transportation infrastructure. The launch of the BTS Skytrain in 1999 marked a major turning point in Bangkok’s urban transport system, followed by the MRT underground network in 2004 and subsequent airport rail and mass transit expansions. Elevated expressways and ring roads were also introduced to ease congestion across key districts.
Despite these developments, Bangkok continues to face significant traffic challenges today. Rapid urban expansion, ongoing construction projects, tourism growth, and a high dependence on private vehicles continue to place pressure on the city’s transport network. Traffic congestion often intensifies during peak business hours, public holidays, heavy rainfall, and major events.
Today, Bangkok remains a vibrant and fast-moving metropolis where traffic conditions reflect both the opportunities and growing pains of one of Southeast Asia’s largest and most dynamic cities.
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18 May 18 2026Bangkok Newshttps://bangkokone.news/?p=211572 - Sell in May’ Strategy Faces Uncertainty This Year
The Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) delivered a strong performance in April despite typically weaker trading conditions caused by holidays and lower turnover. The index climbed to 1,510.02 points before Songkran, supported by the US-Iran ceasefire and falling oil prices, before ending the month up 3.1% at 1,493.69 points. While the traditional “Sell in May […]
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The Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) delivered a strong performance in April despite typically weaker trading conditions caused by holidays and lower turnover. The index climbed to 1,510.02 points before Songkran, supported by the US-Iran ceasefire and falling oil prices, before ending the month up 3.1% at 1,493.69 points.
While the traditional “Sell in May and go away” strategy has often reflected historical market trends, analysts believe it may not apply this year after the SET surged in early May following the Thai government’s 400-billion-baht stimulus package announcement.
The stimulus measures include a co-payment scheme for consumers and investment plans aimed at accelerating Thailand’s clean energy transition. However, concerns remain over the longer-term economic outlook, with GDP growth forecasts for 2026 downgraded to 1.2% amid expectations that elevated oil prices could persist for at least another year, keeping inflationary pressures high globally.
Despite uncertainties, investors remain optimistic that geopolitical tensions will ease. Analysts continue to favour defensive stocks with strong first-quarter earnings, highlighting IT retailer Advice IT Infinite (ADVICE), industrial estate developer Amata Corp (AMATA), 7-Eleven operator CPALL, and telecom company TRUE as key picks for May after reporting solid profit growth and resilient business performance.
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18 May 18 2026Bangkok Newshttps://bangkokone.news/?p=211569 - Thai Airways International Expands Europe Network Despite Jet Fuel Concerns
Thai Airways International plans to expand its European flight network while closely managing fuel costs and route operations amid concerns over geopolitical tensions and the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. According to the airline, the International Air Transport Association has warned of possible short-term jet fuel shortages and potential flight disruptions in parts of Europe and Asia. […]
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Thai Airways International plans to expand its European flight network while closely managing fuel costs and route operations amid concerns over geopolitical tensions and the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
According to the airline, the International Air Transport Association has warned of possible short-term jet fuel shortages and potential flight disruptions in parts of Europe and Asia. Despite this, global air travel demand is still forecast to more than double by 2050, driven largely by growth in the Asia-Pacific region.
THAI confirmed it will resume daily Bangkok-Amsterdam flights from July 1 as part of its broader expansion plans. The airline currently operates services to 62 domestic and international destinations during the summer schedule.
To manage uncertainty, THAI said it has implemented proactive measures including fuel hedging, fuel efficiency improvements, route optimisation, and adjustments to flight frequencies based on passenger demand. The airline is also focusing on high-potential, lower-risk markets while delaying non-essential investment projects to preserve liquidity.
Thailand’s tourism outlook has softened due to global economic pressures, fuel price volatility, trade tensions, and weaker demand from Europe, the Middle East, and the United States. The Tourism Authority of Thailand recently lowered its 2026 visitor forecast to 30–34 million arrivals.
For the first quarter of 2026, THAI reported revenue of 51 billion baht, down 1.2% year-on-year, while net profit rose 2.7% to 10.1 billion baht. As of March 31, the airline operated a fleet of 80 aircraft.
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15 May 15 2026Aviationhttps://bangkokone.news/?p=211566 - Bank of Thailand Calls for Focus on Quality Over Quantity in Foreign Capital Flows
Photo Credit: Bangkok Post Bank of Thailand is urging the government to focus on the quality of foreign direct investment (FDI) rather than simply increasing investment volumes, aiming to deliver stronger long-term economic benefits for Thailand. According to the central bank’s latest Monetary Policy Report, Thailand attracted a record US$18.8 billion in FDI in 2025, driven […]
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Photo Credit: Bangkok Post
Bank of Thailand is urging the government to focus on the quality of foreign direct investment (FDI) rather than simply increasing investment volumes, aiming to deliver stronger long-term economic benefits for Thailand.
According to the central bank’s latest Monetary Policy Report, Thailand attracted a record US$18.8 billion in FDI in 2025, driven largely by rapid growth in sectors such as data centres, electronics, and technology services.
Despite the growth, Thailand still trails regional competitors including Singapore, Vietnam, and Malaysia in attracting foreign investment. The report also raised concerns that many new investments generate limited domestic value, as industries such as electronics and electric vehicles continue to rely heavily on imported components.
The report noted a shift in investor composition, with Japan’s share of FDI declining significantly while Chinese investment has increased, particularly in emerging EV industries.
The central bank warned that Thailand remains focused mainly on lower-value activities such as assembly and packaging, while higher-value sectors including design, research and development, and raw material production remain underdeveloped.
To improve long-term competitiveness, the Bank of Thailand said the country should prioritise workforce development, strengthen local SMEs, and build stronger links between foreign investors and domestic supply chains to create more sustainable and higher-value economic growth.
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15 May 15 2026Bangkok Newshttps://bangkokone.news/?p=211563 - Thailand’s Rainy Season Officially Begins Friday
Thai Meteorological Department has announced that Thailand will officially enter the rainy season on Friday, May 15, although rainfall levels this year are expected to be lower than average. According to the department, the official start of the season is based on three key conditions: widespread rainfall across more than 60% of upper Thailand, a shift […]
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Thai Meteorological Department has announced that Thailand will officially enter the rainy season on Friday, May 15, although rainfall levels this year are expected to be lower than average.
According to the department, the official start of the season is based on three key conditions: widespread rainfall across more than 60% of upper Thailand, a shift in lower-level winds to the southwest, and easterly winds at higher altitudes.
The rainy season in upper Thailand is forecast to continue until mid-October, while parts of southern Thailand’s east coast could see rainfall extending into December. Overall rainfall is expected to be around 10% below the seasonal average.
Rainfall is expected to increase gradually through mid-June, particularly in the East and western South, before easing during late June and July. Heavier rain is expected to return in August and September, raising concerns over flash floods, runoff, and overflowing rivers.
Officials are also closely monitoring the possibility of a stronger El Niño pattern developing later this year, which could bring drier conditions across Southeast Asia. One or two tropical storms are expected to affect Thailand during August and September, mainly in the North and Northeast.
The department has also opened a monitoring centre to track heavy rain and strong winds in the Andaman Sea.
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14 May 14 2026Bangkok Newshttps://bangkokone.news/?p=211560 - Asiana Airlines to Cease Operations in December
Asiana Airlines will officially cease operations on 17 December 2026, nearly 40 years after its founding, as it becomes fully integrated into rival Korean Air following a US$2 billion takeover. The merger will create one of the world’s ten largest airlines, while also marking Asiana’s departure from the Star Alliance, as Korean Air remains part of SkyTeam. Although the airline […]
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Asiana Airlines will officially cease operations on 17 December 2026, nearly 40 years after its founding, as it becomes fully integrated into rival Korean Air following a US$2 billion takeover.
The merger will create one of the world’s ten largest airlines, while also marking Asiana’s departure from the Star Alliance, as Korean Air remains part of SkyTeam.
Although the airline will legally dissolve, the Asiana brand will gradually disappear over time as aircraft liveries, digital platforms, and services are phased into the unified Korean Air identity.
Asiana Club members will continue to receive loyalty benefits for the next 10 years, including status matching and mileage transfers to Korean Air’s Skypass program.
The merged airline group will operate a fleet of around 250 aircraft, while Korean Air says the future of Asiana’s Airbus A380 fleet is still under review amid ongoing aircraft delivery delays.
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14 May 14 2026Aviationhttps://bangkokone.news/?p=211557 - High-Stakes Beijing Talks Loom Between Donald Trump and Xi Jinping
US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping are set to hold high-stakes talks in Beijing on Thursday, with key issues including Iran, trade, and Taiwan expected to dominate discussions between the world’s two largest economies. Xi is expected to welcome Trump with full state honours at Beijing’s Great Hall of the People, where the two leaders will […]
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US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping are set to hold high-stakes talks in Beijing on Thursday, with key issues including Iran, trade, and Taiwan expected to dominate discussions between the world’s two largest economies.
Xi is expected to welcome Trump with full state honours at Beijing’s Great Hall of the People, where the two leaders will meet before attending a state banquet later in the evening. Trump is also scheduled to visit the historic Temple of Heaven during the two-day trip.
The US president arrived in Beijing on Wednesday aboard Air Force One alongside leading American business figures, including Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang and Tesla chief Elon Musk, highlighting Washington’s focus on securing new business and trade opportunities.
Trump and Xi are also expected to hold additional meetings on Friday before the US leader returns to Washington. The visit marks the first trip to China by a US president in nearly a decade since Trump’s previous visit in 2017.
Trade tensions are expected to be a major focus after years of tariff disputes between Washington and Beijing. Both sides are reportedly considering extending the tariff truce agreed upon during their last summit in South Korea in October.
Taiwan, rare earth exports, artificial intelligence competition, and the ongoing conflict involving Iran are also expected to feature heavily in discussions. Trump has indicated he plans to raise US arms sales to Taiwan, while also discussing Iran’s oil trade with China.
Despite ongoing geopolitical tensions, both leaders are expected to seek areas of cooperation while attempting to stabilise the increasingly strained relationship between Beijing and Washington. Trump is also reportedly hoping to secure plans for a future visit by Xi to the United States later in 2026.
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14 May 14 2026Bangkok Newshttps://bangkokone.news/?p=211554 - AEROTHAI Clarifies TG029 Go Around Incident, Confirms ATC Procedures Met International Safety Standards
Thailand’s Aeronautical Radio of Thailand (AEROTHAI) has issued a statement clarifying the incident involving flight TG029 on the Ubon Ratchathani – Suvarnabhumi Airport route after information shared on social media raised questions regarding the actions of air traffic control (ATC) officers. Mr Surachai Nooprom, Acting President of AEROTHAI, stated that an internal investigation found another […]
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Thailand’s Aeronautical Radio of Thailand (AEROTHAI) has issued a statement clarifying the incident involving flight TG029 on the Ubon Ratchathani – Suvarnabhumi Airport route after information shared on social media raised questions regarding the actions of air traffic control (ATC) officers.
Mr Surachai Nooprom, Acting President of AEROTHAI, stated that an internal investigation found another aircraft operating on a parallel runway experienced a technical issue and was unable to land as planned. As a result, ATC was required to manage separation between the two aircraft in accordance with international safety standards before permitting TG029 to continue its approach.
However, during the landing phase, the pilots of TG029 determined that the aircraft was in an “Unstabilized Approach” condition below 1,000 feet. The crew therefore decided to perform a Go Around in line with standard international aviation safety procedures, which resulted in a delay to the flight.
AEROTHAI emphasised that landing clearance is not determined solely by the aircraft’s position, but through coordination between pilots and ATC while considering runway readiness, aircraft separation, weather conditions, and the stability of the approach. If pilots determine that landing conditions are unsafe, they are fully authorised to initiate a Go Around, which is considered a normal safety procedure throughout the global aviation industry.
The organisation also reaffirmed that the actions of ATC personnel during the incident complied fully with international aviation regulations, procedures, and safety standards, while stressing that passenger and flight safety remains the highest priority of Thailand’s aviation system.
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13 May 13 2026Aviationhttps://bangkokone.news/?p=211551 - Thailand Tourism Operators Criticise Proposed New Taxes
Thai tourism operators have criticised plans to introduce or increase travel-related taxes, saying the measures are unjustified without clear details on how the revenue would support tourism development. Airports of Thailand (AoT) is set to raise international passenger service charges from 730 baht to 1,120 baht from June 20 across its six airports. At the […]
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Thai tourism operators have criticised plans to introduce or increase travel-related taxes, saying the measures are unjustified without clear details on how the revenue would support tourism development.
Airports of Thailand (AoT) is set to raise international passenger service charges from 730 baht to 1,120 baht from June 20 across its six airports. At the same time, the Finance Ministry is studying a new departure tax for Thai travellers, while the proposed 300-baht tourism fee for foreign arrivals remains under review.
Industry leaders said authorities have failed to explain how the additional revenue would be used, despite AoT reporting strong profits. They also urged greater stakeholder involvement and called on AoT to focus on improving Suvarnabhumi Airport’s competitiveness against regional hubs such as Hong Kong International Airport, Singapore Changi Airport and Incheon International Airport.
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13 May 13 2026Bangkok Newshttps://bangkokone.news/?p=211547 - Thai Investors Encouraged to Shift Into Japanese Stocks
Principal Asset Management is encouraging investors to increase exposure to Japanese equities, citing structural reforms, stronger corporate governance, and the end of Japan’s long deflationary period as key growth drivers. According to CEO Jumpon Saimala, Japanese companies are benefiting from improved profitability, rising shareholder returns, stronger earnings growth, and record share buybacks. He also noted that […]
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Principal Asset Management is encouraging investors to increase exposure to Japanese equities, citing structural reforms, stronger corporate governance, and the end of Japan’s long deflationary period as key growth drivers.
According to CEO Jumpon Saimala, Japanese companies are benefiting from improved profitability, rising shareholder returns, stronger earnings growth, and record share buybacks. He also noted that Japanese stocks remain attractively valued compared with US equities, despite recent market gains.
Another major factor is the government’s “Sanaenomics” strategy, which aims to boost growth through investments in sectors such as semiconductors, artificial intelligence, and automation, while encouraging households to invest more through the tax-friendly NISA savings scheme.
Principal recommends the Principal Japanese Equity Fund (PRINCIPAL JEQ), which invests mainly in high-quality Japanese value stocks across sectors including healthcare, pharmaceuticals, and industrial manufacturing. The fund’s master portfolio delivered annualised returns of 29.8% over one year, 25.1% over three years, and 16.5% over five years as of March 31.
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12 May 12 2026Bangkok Newshttps://bangkokone.news/?p=211542