The Latest Breaking News from Visit Limlurcha

The effects of the El Niño weather pattern are becoming increasingly evident with the persistence of hot, dry weather and high temperatures despite the official start of the rainy season on May 22, as announced by the Meteorological Department.

Some industry leaders are concerned about higher interest rates affecting businesses, especially small ones, in addition to weakening the purchasing power of homebuyers.

Thai businesses expect only a slight impact from simmering China-Taiwan tensions following US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's visit to the island, with some seeing a somewhat positive impact in relation to outbound shipments of Thai products, especially food, and a possible relocation of production bases to other countries.

Although the Russia-Ukraine war has many countries worried about food security, leading to export bans to ensure domestic supply, the government and corporate groups insist that Thailand has no threat of shortages.

The Department of International Trade Promotion (DITP) along with the Thai Chamber of Commerce and Koelnmesse (KM) Germany have organised THAIFEX-ANUGA ASIA, the continent's most comprehensive international food and beverage trade show, with both a physical and virtual format next week.

The business sector has welcomed the government's latest decision to cut the diesel excise tax by 5 baht per litre for two months, claiming if diesel prices were left unharnessed, it would add to people's hardships and negatively affect the country's exports.

Thai food exports are expected to grow by 5% this year after robust growth of 26% in the first quarter, driven by the Russia-Ukraine conflict and mounting concerns about food shortages in many countries.

Thai food processors and the Thai Chamber of Commerce have called for an extension of anti-dumping (AD) duty waivers on tin plate and tin-free steel, used widely in canned food, for at least six months to help offset the impact of rising steel prices and their production costs.