Asia Economy

With plans to boost foreign investment in key industries, the government announced a series of new incentives and support mechanisms in late 2016 and early 2017. These new measures – many of which will be administered through the Board of Investment (BOI), the government’s investment promotion arm – are set to come into force in the first...

Located at the heart of South-east Asia, the Kingdom of Thailand covers a total area of 513,120 sq km, making it the 50th largest nation in the world by area. It is bound geographically by the nations of Cambodia to the east, Laos to the north-east, Malaysia to the south and Myanmar to the west. Major natural boundaries include the Andaman Sea...

Constitutional reform is not uncommon in Thailand, in fact, the country’s constitution has been rewritten 20 times since absolute monarchy was abolished in 1932, usually following coups or protests ousting military-backed governments. There have been 12 successful coups in the country since 1932.

Following the death of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej in October 2016, a major chapter in the history and politics of this ancient kingdom closed and another opened. With His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn Bodindradebayavarangkun now on the throne, the way ahead promises to be one of further development, with an active monarch as head...

On October 13, 2016 His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej passed away at the age of 88. He was the world’s longest-serving head of state and the longest-serving monarch in Thailand’s history. His passing was mourned by many. His Majesty had been monarch since 1946, and had presided over his country during a period of enormous change.

Having arrived in Sri Lanka in 1505, Portuguese explorers quickly established a foothold via their trading relationship with the kingdom of Kotte. In 1521 an uprising in the kingdom saw King Vijayabahu VII’s three sons mutiny and kill their father in a bid for power, in what would become known as the “Spoiling of Vijayabahu”. Soon afterwards,...