Investors are closely monitoring U.S.-China relations, as trade policies and diplomatic strains could significantly impact global markets. Thailand’s economy and stock market are projected to experience various influences based on both domestic and international factors.

Thailand’s economic outlook for 2025 is under pressure from earthquake-related losses and the threat of US tariff hikes, with potential financial damage estimated at THB30bn ($820mn) and GDP growth at risk of a 1% decline, economists said at a Fitch Ratings seminar on April 1, according to a report by The Nation.

The study finds that Monetary Policy (MP) is generally more consistent with expected growth outcomes and more effective in sustaining long-term economic expansion.

Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra is facing the ordeal of being the sole target of opposition parties in a no-confidence debate in the House of Representatives.

In 2025, Thailand's international tourist arrivals are projected to grow by 15.2% year-on-year, reaching 41.9 million, up from 36.3 million in 2024.

Thailand’s digital economy has been rapidly evolving in recent years, driven by factors such as increasing internet penetration, smartphone adoption, and government initiatives. However, this growth also brings new challenges, including the proliferation of online scams, misinformation, and potential threats to cybersecurity.

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Much of Asia is nervously watching the start of Donald Trump’s second term as president of the United States. In Southeast Asia, the concerns are primarily economic:

How far will Trump’s campaign threats of trade sanctions and tariffs reach? What will Trump trade wars mean for ASEAN’s growing, but fragile economies?

Representing over 97% of all enterprises, Micro, Small, and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs) are crucial to the ASEAN economy. However, cross-border trade in the region remains modest, accounting for only 18% of the total export value. .

The ASEAN Integration Report, titled Inclusive Trade: Perspectives on Regulatory Challenges for MSMEs in ASEAN, provides an overview of the challenges faced by MSMEs in the region, with a particular focus on the trade regulatory complexities that disproportionately burden MSMEs.