Thai rice exports may drop below 10 million tonnes this year

13 Sept 09:21 Key points summarised by AI

Thai rice exports plummeted 44.7% in August, raising concerns that the annual total will fall below 10 million tonnes.
Overall Thai exports have contracted for six consecutive months, reflecting a wider economic slowdown across Asia.
The decline is primarily attributed to the US-China trade war, which has suppressed regional demand, and the strong Thai baht, making exports less competitive.
Beyond rice, various key products and commodities, including automobiles, computers, rubber, and tapioca, also experienced significant drops in demand.

Bai Lu meet-and-greet cancelled days after China’s safety warning

Today 15:28 Key points summarised by AI

Thailand's Tourism and Sports Minister announced the government will seek clarification from the Chinese Embassy regarding its recent travel advisory warning Chinese nationals about safety concerns in Thailand.
The travel advisory is anticipated to negatively impact the number of Chinese tourists visiting Thailand, despite recent increases in arrivals.
A meet-and-greet event featuring Chinese actress Bai Lu, a WeTV Global Ambassador, was abruptly cancelled just days after the Chinese Embassy issued its safety warning, though no official reason was provided.
The Chinese Embassy's advisory urged citizens to beware of job scams, fraudulent investments, suspicious travel arrangements, and the risk of illegal detention or being lured to the Thai-Myanmar border.
Chinese nationals were advised to verify job offers, use legitimate transport, avoid high-risk border areas, protect personal documents, and keep family informed of travel plans.