Where does Thailand go from here? No single perspective can shape the country’s future. Three leaders bring three visions to the challenges ahead: transforming the economy, strengthening infrastructure and preparing people for a changing world. NATION FORUM x DINNER TALK: THAILAND AGENDA 2027 brings government and business leaders together to explore Thailand’s future. 🔴 SPECIAL INTERVIEW | Thailand’s economic future Dhanin Chearavanont Senior Chairman, Charoen Pokphand Group (CP Group) “Revitalise the existing economy and build on the new economy. Thailand remains full of opportunities.” A global business leader’s perspective on Thailand’s economic direction and opportunities. 🔴 SPECIAL KEYNOTE | Infrastructure for the future Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport “Infrastructure drives the nation: Infrastructure Blueprint for the Future” How infrastructure can support economic growth and strengthen Thailand’s competitiveness. 🔴 SPECIAL KEYNOTE | The future of human capital Prof Dr Yodchanan Wongsawat Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation “Prepare people for a changing world, upgrade skills for evolving jobs: Human Capital Evolution” His vision for equipping Thai people for technological change and the future of work. Thailand’s future depends not just on how much the country grows, but on the direction of that growth. Discover how the economy, infrastructure and human capital can advance together. 📅 October 20, 2026 🕡 6.30–9pm 📍 Paragon Hall, Siam Paragon, Bangkok Watch on Nation TV Channel 22 and all Nation Online platforms. #NationForum #NationForum2027 #ThailandsAgenda #NationDinnerTalk

The Association of Thai Travel Agents has warned that rising energy costs could strain cash flow for Thailand’s tourism businesses. Some operators may absorb higher costs for about one to three months, while packages sold in advance to overseas partners limit immediate price adjustments. The association has called for stable energy prices, urgent support for small and medium-sized firms and no overlapping costs from government measures, stressing that price rises should be a last resort. #TheNationThailand #TheNation #SMEs #ATTA #EnergyPrices Read more: nationthailand.com/news/tour…

A survey by the Office of Small and Medium Enterprises Promotion (OSMEP) found that 21.7% of Thailand’s small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) opt to raise prices as business costs increase. In OSMEP’s survey, 11.2% of Thai SMEs opt to accept lower profits to retain customers, while 50.4% expect costs to rise over the next six months. Sangchai Theerakulwanich, chairman for strategy at the Federation of Thai SMEs, called for targeted government support to improve liquidity, warning that purchasing power was weakening. #Economy Read more: nationthailand.com/business/…

Thailand’s Ministry of Transport will propose extending the daily rail pass scheme on the Red and Purple lines until the end of 2027 to help ease travel costs. The proposal will go before the Cabinet, with the current scheme due to end on November 30, 2026. Data through August 2026 showed an average of 37,113 journeys a day paid for with contactless cards on both lines, up 121.54%, alongside higher fare revenue. #TheNationThailand #TheNation #CostOfLiving #RailFares #PublicTransport Read more: nationthailand.com/news/gene…

Clashes erupt in Paris after mass protests across France . Mass protests over living costs and inequality swept across France, drawing more than 410,000 demonstrators. . Clashes broke out in Paris, Marseille and Lyon, with police using tear gas and water cannons as violence escalated after darkness. . #TheNationThailand #France #FranceProtests #Paris #Marseille #Lyon

Police and protesters clashed during separate anti-government demonstrations in Italy, Albania and Belgium on October 24, 2026, over grievances ranging from war and living costs to alleged corruption and education. Albanian riot police used tear gas, water cannon and rubber bullets in Tirana after demonstrators demanding Prime Minister Edi Rama’s resignation threw stones and set fire to the Agriculture Ministry entrance. Milan’s October 24 demonstrations were largely peaceful despite clashes in other Italian cities, while confrontations in Brussels were smaller and less violent than Belgium’s unrest the previous weekend. #World Read more: nationthailand.com/news/worl…

Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul called on foreign investors on October 24, 2026, to transfer technology and help develop Thailand’s economy, rather than use the country solely for cheap labour and assembly. Thailand’s skilled workforce and transport links offer investors a base for reaching more than 700 million people in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, Anutin argued. Anutin said private-sector representatives in Thailand’s economic cabinet were helping bring business concerns to the full Cabinet, reduce bureaucracy and speed up investors’ decisions. #Economy Read more: nationthailand.com/business/…

Japan continues to attract Thai travellers, with 835,000 visitors from Thailand recorded between January and September 2026, up 2.4% year on year. The figures from the Japan National Tourism Organization place Thailand sixth among Japan's largest international visitor markets. Despite the nine-month growth, Thai arrivals fell 12.6% to 44,800 in September. Japan's overall international visitor numbers also declined by 2.9% during the first nine months, weighed down by a sharp 55.5% drop in arrivals from China. Thanapol Cheewarattanaporn, president of the Association of Thai Travel Agents, expects Thai travel to Japan to grow by approximately 6% in 2026, following more than 1.23 million visits in 2025. Japan remains a popular overseas destination for Thai travellers alongside China. #TheNationThailand #TheNation #JapanTourism #ThaiTravellers #TravelTrends nationthailand.com/business/…

Thailand’s new rules to shorten payment periods for small and medium-sized enterprises will take effect on November 2, 2026, targeting more than 3 million businesses. They cap payment periods at 30 days for agricultural goods and products involving basic processing, and 45 days for covered trade, manufacturing and services. Cutting payment terms from 60 to 45 days could release about THB250 billion in working capital, while the Commerce Ministry is also addressing platform fees and commissions. #TheNationThailand #TheNation #CashFlow #CreditTerms #SMEs Read more: nationthailand.com/business/…

Chiang Dao Wildlife Sanctuary in Chiang Mai will open online bookings from October 26 to 30 for nature-study treks and overnight stays at Doi Luang Chiang Dao during the 2026–27 season. Reservations must be made through the sanctuary’s official website. Known for its limestone landscapes and distinctive subalpine ecosystem, Doi Luang Chiang Dao supports diverse plant and wildlife species, including many that are rare. The programme aims to promote nature education while protecting the mountain’s fragile environment. Visitor numbers will be strictly controlled to minimise waste and disturbance to wildlife habitats. Those with confirmed bookings must attend an orientation on Leave No Trace practices before entering the protected area. #TheNationThailand #TheNation #DoiLuangChiangDao #ChiangMai #ThailandTravel nationthailand.com/news/tour…

Thailand’s Immigration Bureau has confirmed that Dutch television presenter Emile Ratelband and his close friend Natalia, both reported missing by his family, have left the country. Records show Ratelband travelled to Laos in late 2025 and Natalia flew to the Middle East the same day, with no recorded return to Thailand by either. Officers are urgently gathering further information to assist the family, which offered a €2,500 reward for information about their whereabouts. #TheNationThailand #TheNation #Netherlands #MissingPersons #EmileRatelband Read more: nationthailand.com/news/gene…

Police clashed with groups of youths in Paris and Marseille after largely peaceful demonstrations in France on October 24, including a major Paris march against rising living costs and inequality. The Interior Ministry reported 410,000 protesters nationwide, while unions estimated twice that number. Authorities deployed 70,000 police officers and gendarmes, while major cultural venues and more than 20 metro stations in Paris were closed. #TheNationThailand #TheNation #CostOfLiving #Protests #France Read more: nationthailand.com/news/worl…

Clashes between police and demonstrators were reported in Turin, Rome and Bologna during protests against war and rising living costs in Italy on October 24, while demonstrations in Milan were largely peaceful. Authorities deployed large numbers of police and many shops closed as a precaution after the previous weekend’s unrest, while Reuters witnesses saw no shop looting or property vandalism during the latest protests. Police also reported detaining a person allegedly linked to organising the previous weekend’s “October 17 Movement” protests and taking them to police headquarters in Milan for questioning. #TheNationThailand #TheNation #Protests #CostOfLiving #Italy Read more: nationthailand.com/news/worl…

The Thai Meteorological Department has forecast continued rain with heavy to very heavy downpours in southern Thailand, while upper regions face thundershowers, gusty winds and possible lightning over the next 24 hours. The North and Northeast will be affected first, followed by the Central region, Bangkok and surrounding provinces, and the East. People in the South should beware of flash floods and run-off, while mariners in the Andaman Sea and Gulf of Thailand should avoid thundershowers, where waves will exceed two metres. #TheNationThailand #TheNation #TMD #HeavyRain #WeatherForecast Read more: nationthailand.com/news/gene…

The Thai Meteorological Department has forecast continued rain with heavy to very heavy downpours in southern Thailand, while upper regions face thundershowers, gusty winds and possible lightning over the next 24 hours. The North and Northeast will be affected first, followed by the Central region, Bangkok and surrounding provinces, and the East. People in the South should beware of flash floods and run-off, while mariners in the Andaman Sea and Gulf of Thailand should avoid thundershowers, where waves will exceed two metres. #TheNationThailand #TheNation #TMD #HeavyRain #WeatherForecast Read more: nationthailand.com/news/gene…

CP Group has issued a formal statement clarifying that its application to register four new holy basil varieties does not restrict nationwide farming. The conglomerate reassured the public that farmers and local communities do not need permission to cultivate or sell traditional holy basil. #CPGroup #CPRAM #HolyBasil #กะเพรา #PlantRegistration #TheNationThailand Read more : nationthailand.com/business/…

Faced with global trade headwinds, Thailand is pivoting to premium artisanal rice to boost farmer incomes. #Rice #ThaiRice #ThaiPremiumRice #ข้าวประณีต #CommerceMinistry #RiceExport #TheNationThailand Read more : nationthailand.com/business/…

Surging global demand for AI and EVs has drawn $690m (£546m) in advanced materials investment proposals to Thailand. #BoardofInvestment #AI #EV #Investment #ThaiEconomy #TheNationThailand Read more : nationthailand.com/business/…

France has deployed 70,000 police officers nationwide as Paris luxury boutiques board up shopfronts to prevent a repeat of last weekend’s violent riots and looting. #France #FrenchProtest #Tourism #Reuters #Security #TheNationThailand Read more : nationthailand.com/news/worl…

Thailand’s army rejected Cambodian allegations on October 24, 2026, that Thai military operations at three border temples violated Cambodia’s sovereignty. Army spokesman Maj Gen Winthai Suvaree said artefacts from Khana temple were moved for study and restoration, maintaining that the site lies within Thai territory. Cambodia’s Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts has demanded the artefacts’ return and rejected allegations that Cambodian forces used heritage sites as military bases. #ThaiCambodia #BorderDispute #CulturalHeritage #TheNationThailand #TheNation nationthailand.com/news/gene…

Thai officials have urged calm and called for historical facts to be separated from movie drama following controversy over 'Killing Fields 2', a new Cambodian film depicting 1979 border violence. #JointInformationCenter #Thailand #Cambodia #TruthFromThailand #BorderConflict #RoyalThaiArmy #ASEAN #TheNationThailand Read more : nationthailand.com/news/asea…