Banking / Investment in Thailand
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THAILAND, 2016/06/20
Foreign investment in Thailand plummeted last year, official data showed, the new sign that the kingdom’s once-vibrant economy continues to falter under prolonged military policy.
Total investment applied for by foreign companies between January and November 2015 plunged 78 % from a year before to 93.8 billion baht ($2.62 billion), according to figures from Thailand’s national-run Board of Investment (BoI) sent to AFP late Tuesday.
The figures will do little to cheer junta leader Prayut Chan-O-Cha, who seized power in a May 2014 coup vowing to replace stability but who has struggled to kickstart the country’s lacklustre economy.
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THAILAND, 2015/05/21
A gradual increase in economic activity and request for credit should support both loans and earnings in the Thai banking sector, although a shift away from consumer lending is likely to continue and low interest rates may prompt banks to tap into other revenue streams.
Bank lending is expected to increase by 7-8% this year, according to a statement issued by TMB Analytics in April, outperforming the 5% increase recorded in 2014, though still slower than in each of the four previous years. While lending is set to increase, TMB said this would not be the major increase driver for the sector, as recent rates cuts meant the industry was operating in a low-interest-rate environment. Momentum for earnings is likely approaching from fee-based activity, which accounts for 17% of revenues.
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THAILAND, 2010/09/05
Thailand’s insurance sector looks set to shake off any lingering concerns following the recent period of political instability. A number of insurers recently reported strong increase in premiums and earnings for the prime months of 2010, a trend that is expected to continue into 2011.
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THAILAND, 2010/08/12
Thailand’s banking sector appears to have seen off the worst effects of the world recession and, far closer to home, long-running social unrest and seems to be gaining momentum as the country’s economy begins to gather pace.
A recent statement by international ratings agency Fitch said Thailand’s banks were expected to perform soundly in the foreseeable next and continue to show resilience next the economic and political shocks of the completed years.
