A study by the World Bank and the Bank of Thailand, using climate and bank-level data, found that a severe flood scenario could reduce output by up to 10 percent, raising nonperforming loans and financial stress, especially in high-risk areas along the Chao Phraya River.

This transformation is marked by a deepening of ties with China, including unprecedented cooperation in the contested South China Sea, and a strategic pivot towards regional partnerships within ASEAN and BRICS.

The research paper "Search Frictions in Goods Markets and CPI Inflation" by Masashige Hamano, Philip Schnattinger, and Kongphop Wongkaew develops a New Keynesian dynamic stochastic general equilibrium (DSGE) model to analyze how shifts in consumer preferences toward online retailers affect pricing dynamics and inflation.

Indonesia is projected to maintain robust economic growth in 2025, driven by resilient domestic demand and strong government support for infrastructure and industrial downstreaming.

Thailand’s merger and acquisition (M&A) landscape between 2008 and 2019 is explored in this study, which identifies the key drivers of goodwill, such as the target’s customer base, intangible assets, and expected synergies, and assesses how these factors influence post-acquisition performance. The findings highlight the importance of strategic synergy realization and prudent goodwill valuation in Thailand’s evolving M&A market.

Indonesia’s Positive Investment List, introduced through Presidential Regulation No. 49 of 2021, liberalizes over 200 business sectors for foreign investment, including transportation, energy, and telecommunications.

Indonesia's nickel industry has become a focal point for Chinese foreign direct investment (FDI), driven by China's escalating demand for nickel in electric vehicle (EV) battery production.

Indonesia's micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) stand to gain significantly from the ASEAN Digital Economy Framework Agreement (DEFA), which aims to standardize digital trade and financial services across the region.

Thailand's AI readiness is progressing but remains uneven across key pillars. While a majority of Thai businesses have defined AI strategies and show high deployment in IT infrastructure, critical challenges persist in areas like data management, governance, talent, and organizational culture.

Focusing on Thailand’s corporate bond market from 2001–2020, the study reveals how low rates encourage firms, especially in the property sector—to issue riskier, longer-term bonds, often snapped up not by big institutions but by individual investors chasing higher yields.

Studies of the Indonesian political economy suggest a transformation of government-business relationship from a “patrimonial administrative” state, in which bureaucrats are dominant, to a “patrimonial oligarchic” state dominated by business actors.

The Trump administration’s method of defining “reciprocal tariffs” is unconventional, basing the rate on the extent of the U.S. trade deficit with each country rather than mirroring their actual tariffs.

Just when the global economy began adjusting to the idea of a new normal under United States President Donald Trump’s reciprocal tariff doctrine, the plot twisted.

The Amundi Investment Institute’s April 2025 report, “Liberation Day Tariffs: An Initial Assessment,” analyzes the sweeping new U.S. tariffs under President Trump, marking the highest average tariff rate in a century.

Outlining the sweeping effects of the U.S. administration’s new “Liberation Day” tariff measures, which impose a 36% levy on Thai exports—starting with 10% on April 5 and an additional 26% on April 9, this short report covers the impacts that will befall Thailand in the days to come.

This growth is also linked to Indonesia's thriving digital economy, with projections estimating gross merchandise value could reach $200-360 billion by 2030. AI, particularly in financial services, is driving much of this progress, improving fraud detection, risk assessments, and customer experiences.

The Indonesian Financial Services Authority says bank branches and ATMs are mostly located in Java (62.55% of the total), while the remaining are across the country from Sumatra to Papua. Access to finance and realizing the economic potential that that could unlock has become a priority for the the Indonesian government in its economic strategizing.

Indonesia's AI readiness still remains in the early development stage. To harness AI's full potential, Indonesia must prioritize robust investment in digital infrastructure, cultivate AI-skilled workforces, and strengthen governance to ensure responsible and inclusive implementation across sectors.

Indonesia's Comprehensive Wealth Index (CWI) has nearly tripled over the past 25 years, growing from IDR 404.3 million (USD PPP 86,100) in 1995 to IDR 1.13 billion (USD PPP 240,750) in 2020. This growth, driven primarily by human and produced capital, reflects an average annual increase of 4.3%, yet natural capital has remained stagnant.

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.

Indonesia's Kredit Usaha Rakyat (KUR) program, one of the world's largest public business support initiatives, aims to enhance financial inclusion by providing subsidized credit and partial credit guarantees to micro and small enterprises.

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.

The Indonesia Economic Prospects (IEP) is a bi-annual World Bank report that assesses recent macroeconomic developments, the outlook, and risks, as well as specific development challenges for the Indonesian economy. In doing so, the IEP aims to inform the public policy debate and is geared towards a wide audience, including the general public, the government, the private sector, civil society organizations, and other domestic and international stakeholders.

Indonesia, boasting the largest population in Southeast Asia and ranking as the fourth most populous country globally, has become a magnet for companies eyeing the potential within its expanding digital landscape.

In 2009, a mere 19% of Indonesians were internet users. However, recognising the untapped possibilities early on, venture capital firm East Ventures made strategic investments in the country. Consequently, Indonesia has experienced substantial digital advancements, particularly gaining momentum during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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.

Experimenting with Generative AI: Does ChatGPT Really Increase Everyone’s Productivity?

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?