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Foreign Arrivals Down 4.6%, UTCC Cuts Forecast
Foreign arrivals were down 4.6% through the first 10 months of this year compared to last, but spending has slipped a little less and is down almost 3%. Arrivals coming in from China, the largest market, were up by about an eighth; those from Malaysia fell by roughly a sixth. The University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce now report that they foresee 31.5 million visitors arriving on Thai shores through CY2026, which is below earlier forecasts of between 32 million and 34 million. Nearly two thirds of operators it surveyed say they don’t expect arrivals to return to the all-time-high 40 million a year before 2031.
Read more: Nation Thailand (arrival figures), Asian News Network (industry survey), Thailand Business News (revised forecast)
Cabinet to Raise Imported EV Tax to 35%
The cabinet plans to increase the excise tax on fully imported electric vehicles from 10% to 35% on January 1. The rate for range extender models is going up from 15% to 35%. The change is part of a push by the government to get more carmakers to assemble vehicles locally with local parts, as BYD and Great Wall Motor already do.
Read more: Thailand Business News (tax changes), Gasgoo (local production rules)
JSCCIB Raises 2026 Export Forecast
The Joint Standing Committee on Commerce, Industry and Banking (JSCCIB) has lifted its 2026 export growth forecast to “between 18% and 22%,” and says that it expects the economy to grow by about 2.5% in addition to reducing its inflation forecast. A revised manufacturing index, which is said to better reflect digital industries, could add roughly a quarter of a percentage point to (reported) 2026 growth. Technology manufacturers are benefiting from demand for AI and data centers, but businesses depend on the health of the local consumer are still struggling with soft purchasing power.
Read more: Bangkok Post (economic forecast), Bloomberg (technology exports)
Apple Warns Opposition Leaders of Spyware
Apple has warned People's Party leader Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut and Democrat leader Abhisit Vejjajiva that their iPhones have been the target of mercenary spyware. Both suspect Pegasus, the Israeli cyber-arms company NSO Group’s software was used, but there’s no public evidence to confirm their suspicions. The warning comes while the opposition is preparing a no confidence debate on the government which is expected to land early next month. Digital Economy and Society Minister Chaichanok Chidchob said checks found “no firm evidence” of Pegasus and says he will take the issue to the National Security Council.
Read more: Thai Enquirer (leaders targeted), Prachatai English (government response)
Courts to Decide Uyghur Fate
China has issued arrest warrants for five Uyghurs held in Thailand since 2014, according to security chief Gen Chaipruak Doungprapat. He said that if Beijing wants action, its required file a formal extradition request, which the Foreign Ministry would evaluate before a court would make a final decision. Chaipruak insisted the whole thing was simply a legal matter, unlike the government's deportation of 40 Uyghur men in 2025. Beijing hasn’t said if any formal request has been sent yet. Two of the five, who were given a royal pardon on 21 October, were released from prison, but are currently being detained at Suan Phlu immigration detention center and are reportedly pleading to not to be sent to China.
Read more: Bangkok Post (extradition process), UA News (Chinese warrants), Human Rights Watch (deportation record), Prachatai English (detainees' plea), KSAT (Beijing's response)
Curb on Chairs' Power to Summon Officials
House Speaker Sophon Saram has put a prohibition on the chairs of all 35 standing committees from summoning officials or agencies without first having a committee vote. Chairs are also no longer allowed to override agendas that have been previously approved by their committees. People's Party MP Suphanat Minchaiynunt was vocal in saying that even Prayut Chan-o-cha's government never muzzled committees like this. The Bhumjaithai Party, which nominated Sophon, is suggesting rules that would simply require a majority of all committee members to approve a summons. They suggest that chairs and deputies would also be chosen by a simple majority vote or secret ballot instead of via party quotas.
Read more: Thai Enquirer (speaker's order), Thai Enquirer (proposed rules)
SEC Moves to Block Bitget
The Securities and Exchange Commission has filed a criminal complaint against Bitget operator BG Limited, accusing it of doing business without a digital asset license. Regulators plan to block Bitget’s websites and app starting on December 5. The complaint also names Kritsana Kritsananuwat, an individual who allegedly helped promote the exchange. The SEC says Bitget handled trades and charged fees from 2022 to 2025 by way of a Thai language site and social media accounts. Bitget’s has been trying to go legit, but their reported purchase of GMO Internet’s local exchange is still waiting for approval. It seems unlikely that it will come in time.
Read more: Cryptonews (SEC complaint), The Defiant (Bitget acquisition)
TG Cargo Backlog at Suvarnabhumi Forces Talks
Airports of Thailand is calling in customs officials, freight forwarders and Thai Airways as it tries to tackle a backlog at the airline's Suvarnabhumi cargo warehouse. More than 1,000 lots are still reportedly awaiting release, and 700 to 800 pallets are “unaccounted for.” Staff say they’re unable to find some pallets because their storage locations were not recorded, and the Clearhouse system is failing to showing cargo status. Thai Airways claims that it is adding 100 Wi-Fi access points (it’s not clear how that will help) and “clearing the oldest cargo first.” A mess.
Read more: The Star
PTTEP Wins Two Khon Kaen Exploration Blocks
PTTEP International has won licenses to explore blocks L1/66 and L3/66 in Khon Kaen, near the Sin Phuhom gas field. Nearby production facilities and pipelines mean the company is well positioned to develop a commercial find quickly without building much new infrastructure. Separately, a bidding round that covered more than 26,000 square kilometers of the Andaman Sea is still waiting for cabinet approval of revised deep water terms. Thailand imports almost all of its crude oil and nearly half its gas.
Read more: Bangkok Post
Ban on Routledge Handbook Edited by Exiled Critic
Police chief Samran Nualma has banned the Routledge Handbook of Contemporary Thailand on “national security grounds.” Anyone importing or distributing the book will be at risk of up to three years in prison, a fine of as much as 60,000 baht, or both. Editor Pavin Chachavalpongpun, who lives in exile in Japan, said police objected to its extensive material on the monarchy. He thanked them for the publicity. Police also banned his 2023 book titled, simply, “Rama X.”
Read more: Bangkok Post (police ban), SCMP (editor's response)
Automated Passport Gates Open to 33 Countries
Automated passport gates will now accept arriving travelers from 33 countries and territories, up from two. Immigration says that daily use of the gates has nearly tripled to about 2,100 passengers since the expansion started in September, and Singaporeans are the biggest enthusiasts. Suvarnabhumi has 39 automated arrival gates, and officials are in the process of expanding the service to Don Mueang and Phuket International Airport.
Read more: Khaosod English
That's all for this week, thanks for reading. Your voice matters to us. Feel we're missing something? Have additional sources to suggest? Don't hold back- hit reply and tell us what you think.
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