Thailand: Tourism businesses set to soar in 2024

Businesses associated with tourism, health, lifestyle and digital software services are considered promising for the upcoming year, according to the Business Development Department of Thailand.
Thailand: Tourism businesses set to soar in 2024 ảnh 1Thai tourism businesses set to soar in 2024 (Photo: AFP/VNA)
Bangkok (VNA) - Businesses associated withtourism, health, lifestyle and digital software services are consideredpromising for the upcoming year, according to the Business DevelopmentDepartment of Thailand.

Auramon Supthaweethum, the department'sdirector-general, said the latest analysis of business trends based on thenumber and establishment rates, liquidation rates, registered capital increasesand external factors such as popularity trends, government policies andeconomic indices, indicates interesting growth trends in those four segmentsnext year.

She said tourism businesses should benefit fromsupporting factors such as government support measures, resulting in moreforeign arrivals.

Promising businesses in this category includerestaurants and food outlets, hotels, resorts, condos, guesthouses, tourguides, travel agencies, currency exchange, event management, and concerts.

For health businesses, she said the outlook isrosy for personal healthcare, including plant cultivation, herbs, hospitals,specialised clinics, retail/wholesale of drugs and medical supplies, elderly carefacilities, and accommodation services for the elderly.

Enterprises related to lifestyle are noteworthy because behaviourshave changed rapidly over the past 2-3 years, she said, adding several sunrisesectors include pet care services, retail and wholesale of pet food, recycling services,environmental consulting services, and the production of electric vehiclecomponents.

The digital services and software sector isprojected to have robust growth as it addresses the digitalisation andinnovation trends in both the public and private sectors, spanning all agegroups and holding high market value, she said.

Auramon said businesses with promise in thiscategory include e-commerce services such as online retail and marketplaces,digital payment processing and invoicing, online payment services for goods orservices, and web development, computer programming and software consultancy.

The trends indicate the promising businesses arelargely aligned with the recovery of the national and global economy,especially in areas that faced challenges during the pandemic, she said./.

VNA

See more

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) promotes Thai culture and travel experiences at The Gypsy Travel Festival (TGTF) 2026 in Mumbai. (Photo: thailand.prd.go.th)

TAT showcases Thai culture at Mumbai travel festival

The effort was led by the TAT Mumbai Office and the ASEAN, South Asia, and South Pacific Market Division, under the direction of TAT Governor Thapanee Kiatphaibool, with support from Consul-General Donnawit Poolsawat and senior TAT executives. The festival was held last week at Jio World Drive and attracted a large audience from a high-spending travel segment.

Thailand: Bhumjaithai Party forms alliance with Pheu Thai

Thailand: Bhumjaithai Party forms alliance with Pheu Thai

Caretaker Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul emphasised that both parties share confidence in the capacity and experience of their personnel to steer Thailand towards long-term stability and sustainable development, adding that they had agreed to put aside past misunderstandings and differences in the national interest.

Malaysia seizes a record of nearly 20 million USD worth of methamphetamine (Photo: Bernama)

Malaysia busts largest-ever maritime drug trafficking ring

According to the MMEA, the operation took place on February 11 in waters off Pahang state, about 107 nautical miles northeast of Kuantan. Officers inspected the Thailand-flagged oil tanker Kamal Bangkok and discovered 76 sacks of methamphetamine that had been carefully concealed.

Laos moves to promotes sustainable coffee, tea farming

Laos moves to promotes sustainable coffee, tea farming

The coffee sector plays a vital role in Laos' socio-economic development. More than 80 domestic and foreign companies are currently investing in coffee production, processing and export, generating over 100 million USD in annual export value.

Department of National Defence (DND) Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. (left) and Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines, Endo Kazuya (right), during the “ceremonial turnover” of five coastal surveillance radar systems to the country’s defence establishment on February 11. (Photo courtesy of the DND)

Japan hands over coastal surveillance radar to the Philippines

The equipment was provided under Japan’s Official Security Assistance (OSA) framework. The deal was finalised during the November 2023 visit to Manila by then Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio, when the two sides exchanged notes for 600 million JPY (nearly 4 million USD) in OSA funding for the provision of coastal radar systems to the Philippine Navy.

Two Mahakam dolphins (Orcaella brevirostris) are seen swimming. (Photo: ANTARA)

Indonesia takes emergency solutions to save Mahakam dolphins

Based on the latest data as of early February, only 66 of these endemic Mahakam River mammals are estimated to remain in the wild. This situation has prompted Indonesian authorities to take concrete and decisive actions to prevent the species from slipping into extinction.

ASEAN boasts potential of world's battery

ASEAN boasts potential of world's battery

He stressed that the deployment of smart grids would demonstrate ASEAN’s collective commitment to climate mitigation and green initiatives, adding that the bloc has the potential to become a major energy provider, or “battery”, for the world.

Malaysia’s manufacturing sector expected to sustain growth into 2026

Malaysia’s manufacturing sector expected to sustain growth into 2026

RHB Investment Bank maintained an optimistic view on the sector’s prospects, forecasting IPI growth of 4.1% in 2026. Despite concerns over a global economic slowdown, higher tariffs and geopolitical volatility, industrial activity is expected to remain on a growth trajectory. For the whole of 2025, Malaysia’s IPI expanded by 3.6%, nearly matching the 3.7% increase recorded in 2024.

 A total of 701 containers containing illegal e-waste were detained in Malaysia between 2021 and 2025 (Photo: New Straits Times)

Malaysia combats smuggling of e-waste

The Malaysian government is stepping up campaigns to strictly control cross-border e-waste and dismantle illegal processing facilities in an effort to protect the environment and fulfil its commitment to sustainable development.

Malaysia optimistic about palm oil growth prospects in 2026

Malaysia optimistic about palm oil growth prospects in 2026

In 2025, Malaysia's total export value of palm oil and palm oil products rose to 112.51 billion MYR (28.68 billion USD), up from 109.39 billion MYR in 2024, reflecting stable global demand as well as Malaysia’s focus on improving reliability and quality and investing in value-added products.

Indonesia’s Industry Minister Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita speaks during a focus group discussion on empowering national sea transport and shipbuilding in Jakarta on February 10. (Photo: ANTARA)

Indonesia accelerates shipbuilding as strategic pillar of national logistics

Industry Minister Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita said that as a archipelagic nation, Indonesia relies heavily on maritime transport, which serves as the backbone of its national logistics system. Strengthening shipbuilding capacity is therefore crucial to improving inter-island distribution of goods and ensuring smooth connectivity across the country.